Finding the “perfect story” to tell for the Dragon Warrior’s big-screen return was of the utmost importance forKung Fu Panda 4directorMike Mitchell. Mitchell served as an executive producer onKung Fu Panda 3, but this time around he sits in the director’s chair, and he was the one tasked with helming Po’s (Jack Black)return. However, it couldn’t just be any old tale being told in the fourth movie. Mitchell said in an interview withComicBook.com:
“When I was producing the third film, we’re like, ‘Wow, we’re really wrapping up.’ And so, for this one, probably why it took so long to get to the big screen is we didn’t start on this until we are sure we had the right story. It’s all about finding that perfect story. We don’t want to just tell another one. It’s got to be something that evolves Po, and Po has got to learn something… he’s got to really advance to the next level.”
Kung Fu Panda 4
Mitchell continued:
“If you remember, in the previous film, he had already gotten to the top. He did it. He’s the Dragon Warrior. That’s what he wanted. Who knew in part one he could achieve all this? So, for this one we thought, ‘What if we took all that away? How would you feel?’ And within that we found some really great themes, some really heavy themes that we thought were important for this day and age.”
Ian McShane Returns as Tai Lung
Finding the “perfect story” ultimately included bringing backone ofKung Fu Panda’smost formidable fighters, and one of “the best villains of all time.” And it’sJohn Wick’sownIan McShanereprising the role of Tai Lung, who Po (Black) must square off against once more, inKung Fu Panda 4. Mitchell said in the same interview:
“There was no alternate plan. We locked into [the return of Tai Lung]. And, I got to say, one of the things that I think this franchise stands the test of time: It’s Jack Black as the Kung Fu Panda, but it’s also the villains. I think this is the greatest franchise in the world based on the villains. I think it has created the best villains of all time.”
How Tai Lung Could Return (And What Makes Him Different) in Kung Fu Panda 4
Tai Lung returns to the Kung Fu Panda franchise after 16 years. Here’s how his reappearance will benefit Kung Fu Panda 4.
“And my favorite is Tai Lung. And so for this one we’re like, ‘Man, we better kill it with this villain and make sure that he is more formidable than the previous three.’ I feel that we did it. And part of that was bringing Tai Lung back just to prove that we knew what we’re doing. And I’m such a huge fan of Ian McShane as well. It’s a blast to work with him.”
McShane originally voiced the fearsome Snow leopard inthe originalKung Fu Panda(2008)nearly 16 years ago. However, Tai Lung has reappeared in other films, video games, specials and even series via dreams, flashbacks and other means, with other actors including André Sogliuzzo and Peter McHugh tackling the character.
Kung Fu Panda 4is now playing exclusively in theaters.
