'Kung Fu Panda 3' cast, release date & plot: new trailer out! [watch video in HD]

• comments
• 
• 

The second sequel of the beloved franchise by DreamWorks TV, "Kung Fu Panda," takes on a "Star Wars" approach in their teaser trailer.

Here is the full official synopsis of the trailer:

"When Po's long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible-learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas!"

In the trailer, we see our favorite Dragon Warrior panda Po (voiced by Jack Black) reunite with his real father, another panda whose name is Li, and will be voiced by Bryan Cranston. The trailer opens with a pitch-black screen and heavy breathing that parodies Darth Vader's, and a voice declares "I am your father." It is then revealed that it was Po and his father Li who is out of shape and out of breath as the words are uttered. 

The teaser trailer only gives a moderate reference to the "Star Wars" movie franchise, but the father-son panda will not have Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader's kind of relationship.

Cinema Blend reports that the two pandas will be going on a new adventure to "a secret panda paradise." A villain by the name of Kai, voiced by J.K. Simmons, appears and conquers China's kung fu masters so Po must return to the village with his fellow pandas and train them in order to defeat Kai.

"Kung Fu Panda 3" will be released in theaters on Jan. 29, 2016.

According to Screen Rant, most of the voice cast of the previous two films will be in the third movie. Dustin Hoffman will return as Shifu, Jackie Chan voices Monkey, Lucy Liu voices Viper, David Cross as Crane, Seth Rogen as Mantis, and Randall Duk Kim as Oogway. Additionally, Angelina Jolie voices Tigress and Rebel Wilson voices Mei Mei, according to Geeks Of Doom.

The third film is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni with the screenplay by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, International Business Times reports.