The Universal Beijing Resort was adorned with a temple fair style and illuminated by traditional Chinese lanterns. Vendor booths were abundant, offering a variety of food and snacks, kites, calligraphy items, mahjong sets, and souvenirs. Entertainment included dancing and kung fu performances, creating an immersive, vibrant, and celebratory atmosphere for the highly anticipated premiere of the newest installment of the beloved "Kung Fu Panda" franchise.

(From left to right) Zhen the fox, actress Yang Mi, actor Huang Bo, actress Jiang Xin, and Po the giant panda pose for a photo on stage at the amphitheater in Universal Beijing Resort during the premiere of "Kung Fu Panda 4" in Beijing, March 14, 2024. [Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures]

"Every installment of the 'Kung Fu Panda' series is deeply imbued with the essence of Chinese culture, with the film's settings, costumes, and food all full of Chinese elements," said actor Huang Bo, who voiced Po the panda in the Chinese version of "Kung Fu Panda 4." The premiere was held at the cinema within Universal Beijing Resort, which also features a themed land in its park dedicated to the franchise and boasts a giant lantern installation of Po in Universal CityWalk Beijing. Additionally, the park also featured a special stage and recreated Juniper City, a key location from the movie where the villain resides.

"Particularly in this fourth installment, the prosperity and wealth of Juniper City, along with the lively calls of street vendors, are very much imbued with the atmosphere of daily life, making it feel familiar and endearing," Huang added. 

There's no better time for the Dragon Warrior to return than in 2024, the Year of the Dragon according to the Chinese zodiac calendar. In DreamWorks Animation's new production, Po is poised to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace but also seeks a successor as the Dragon Warrior. To this end, he trains a new kung fu practitioner, Zhen, a fox bandit, for the role. Together, they face a villain known as The Chameleon, a wicked sorceress who conjures up all the master villains whom Po has vanquished into the spirit realm.

As Po navigates changes in his identity and faces new challenges, he continues to exhibit a brave and optimistic attitude. This growth also inspired Huang: "In terms of growth, dreams, and unity, Po in this movie has 'leveled up' after facing various hardships. He has truly evolved from a noodle-loving hero into a soul master carrying the world in his heart."

Directed by Mike Mitchell and co-directed by Stephanie Ma Stine, "Kung Fu Panda 4" brings back the beloved panda and his master, with Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman reprising their voice roles. The film introduces new characters such as Zhen and The Chameleon, voiced by Awkwafina and Viola Davis, respectively. In the Chinese version, Huang Bo is joined by renowned actress Yang Mi as Zhen and actress Jiang Xin as the villain.

However, the iconic Furious Five are notably absent, making only cameo appearances. In a March 2024 Discord Q&A session, co-director Stephanie Ma Stine explained that this was due to the prohibitive costs associated with the original actors, especially Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress.

A giant lantern installation of Po illuminates Universal CityWalk Beijing, promoting "Kung Fu Panda 4." [Photo/China.org.cn]

"Kung Fu Panda 4" has continued to captivate audiences worldwide. It debuted on March 8 in many places around the world before its release in China. The film garnered mostly positive reviews from critics and had amassed $104 million worldwide by Wednesday, ranking it as the eighth highest-grossing film of 2024. Its release in China is scheduled for March 22. Universal Pictures has held limited advanced screenings, already earning nearly 40 million yuan ($5.5 million) in just two days, from March 9-10. Another series of advanced screenings is also arranged for March 16-17.

The "Kung Fu Panda" franchise is celebrated as a prime example of cultural exchange and mutual influence between China and the United States. The previous three installments have collectively earned 1.8 billion yuan in China and a global total of $1.8 billion.

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)