Kung Fu Panda is an animated film about a panda who learns martial arts and then uses this new ability to fight his enemies. Kung Fu Panda is being directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne and produced by Melissa Cobb.

The idea for the film was conceived by Michael Lachance, a DreamWorks Animation executive. The film is due for release on June 6, 2008. It will be distributed by Paramount Pictures.

The film stars the voices of, among others, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Lucy Liu.

Plot: Po (Jack Black) is a panda who is a kung fu fanatic, but whose defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest animal in ancient China. Evil warrior Tai Lung has escaped from prison, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophecy naming Po as the “Chosen One” to save the day. He has a group of martial arts masters to help him.

Notably, a number of the martial arts masters are animals who feature in the Chinese Zodiac - Tigress, Monkey and Snake. Others are stances commonly used in the art of kung fu - the Crane and the Mantis.

Cast:

  • Jack Black as Po - Giant Panda
  • Jackie Chan as Master Monkey - Monkey
  • Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu - Red Panda
  • Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress - South China Tiger
  • Lucy Liu as Master Viper - Viper
  • Ian McShane as Tai Lung - Snow Leopard
  • David Cross as Master Crane - Japanese Crane
  • Seth Rogen as Master Mantis - Praying Mantis
  • Michael Clarke Duncan as Commander Vachir - Javan Rhino
  • James Hong as Mr. Ping - Goose
  • Dan Fogler as Zeng - Palace Goose
  • Randall Duk Kim as Oogway - Tortoise
  • 2 Lucky Grand Prize Winners as unknown

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