“Kung Fu Panda 5”: Will Panda Po’s Story Continue?
Andreas Rivera
March 14, 2024 9:18 am
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3 min read
The “Kung Fu Panda” franchise once again draws animation fans into theaters. Will the series receive a fifth installment beyond this?
The animation franchise revolving around the clumsy panda (voiced in German by Hape Kerkeling), who unexpectedly becomes the Dragon Warrior, has been delighting audiences, young and old, for 16 years. Now, a new adventure awaits: “Kung Fu Panda 4” is now showing in German cinemas. In it, Po faces a formidable opponent and must also concern himself with his succession. For those already curious about what lies ahead for Po and his friends, answers are provided here. If instead, you wish to refresh your memory or expand your film collection before heading to the cinema, this offer might interest you:
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“Kung Fu Panda 5”: What’s the Status of the Continuation? Even before the release of the fourth installment, there is promising news, as co-director Stephanie Ma-Stine is already hinting at further adventures with Po. Speaking to Variety in early March 2024, she says unequivocally:
“This is definitely not the end of Po’s story. Look forward to more.”
While it doesn’t necessarily have to lead to another film but could also mean further series stories, Ma-Stine has not been involved in the Netflix series about the Dragon Knight. Therefore, we assume that her statement definitely refers to the film series. Nonetheless, it would certainly be advantageous for “Kung Fu Panda 5” if the predecessor can also convince the audience and at the box office.
On the occasion of the new “Kung Fu Panda” film, we met with Po’s German voice actor, Hape Kerkeling, for an interview. What he revealed to us about the new animation title and what he says about a potential continuation can be watched in the video:
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“Kung Fu Panda 5”: When and How Will It Continue? Since “Kung Fu Panda 5” has not yet officially received the green light, it’s difficult to speculate on a theatrical release at the moment. The first three titles started in a rhythm of three to five years, with eight years between parts 3 and 4. We certainly wouldn’t have to wait that long for a fifth film, but animated films generally require a comparatively long production time. If initial plans have already begun, we can expect another “Kung Fu Panda” film no earlier than 2026.
At this early stage, we don’t want to reveal too much, but the fourth “Kung Fu Panda” film actually offers a rounded ending that doesn’t necessarily call for a continuation. Yet, as unconventional as Po’s journey to becoming the Dragon Warrior has been, he could now turn his attention to his new duties and responsibilities, providing plenty of laughs.
However, despite this, fans are already fearing that in another film, Po may only play a minor role. Since the entire series is named after the beloved panda, we consider it unlikely to demote him and establish another character as the main character.
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