Join Empire | Log In RSS  |  Twitter  |  Facebook  |  iPhone App  |  New Empire DVD Rental
Empire Magazine
Search   
Empire Magazine
Join Empire
Get our free weekly newsletter

 
Subscribe For Just £30
Save 36% off the shop price
Empire Movie-Con III
Photos, video, Q&A's and more...

Movie News

LATEST HEADLINES
TODAY
A Dark Tower Trilogy AND TV Series?
Ron Howard says it'll happen...
Jeremy Renner Might Be Hansel
He’s ready to go witch hunting…
Christina Hendricks Going For A Drive
She’s joined the Ryan Gosling thriller
Michael Fassbender Has Shame
Reuniting with Hunger’s Steve McQueen
Danny McBride's New Comedy Has A Title
And it's Olympic-Sized A**hole. For now.
Ciaran Hinds Joins The Woman In Black
And Janet McTeer's also aboard
Martin Freeman Might Still Be The Hobbit
Update: MGM wants to make it work
Malin Akerman Heads For Numbers Station
She'll star opposite Ethan Hawke
Joel McHale On For Spy Kids 4
He’ll be married to Jessica Alba
More Movie News

RELATED NEWS
07 September 2010
Natalie Portman Feels Gravity's Pull
She's been offered the sci-fi drama
Kung Fu Panda Getting Xmas Special
And Shrek goes Halloween…
More Movie News

RELATED REVIEWS
Salt (2010)
Empire Star Rating

Alvin And The Chipmunks: The Squeakwel (2009)
Empire Star Rating

Year One (2009)
Empire Star Rating

Monsters Vs. Aliens (2009)
Empire Star Rating

Changeling (2008)
Empire Star Rating

Cinema Releases
DVD Releases

02 October 2008
Kung Fu Panda 2 On The Way - In 3D!!!
Jack Black and Angelina Jolie to return
Source: The Hollywood Reporter

Kung Fu Panda 2 On The Way - In 3D!!!
It’s been one hell of a 24 hour period for Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger and Jack Black.

Yesterday, it was announced that the Aibel/Berger combo would be writing an action comedy vehicle for their Kung Fu Panda star, Black, in which he would play an amnesiac who thinks he’s a top secret agent.

And today, DreamWorks Animation confirmed that they’ll also be reteaming on Kung Fu Panda 2, the sequel to this year’s unexpected smash hit.

The visually stunning and surprisingly funny CG comedy grossed over $600 million at the worldwide box office this summer – and so it seemed only a matter of time before a sequel was confirmed. And lo, it’s already marked out a date: June 3, 2011.

There’s no word yet on plot details, but Black has been confirmed to return as the lovable protagonist, Po, while Angelina Jolie – who voiced Tigress – is also set to come back. Deals haven’t yet been concluded for the rest of the first film’s voice talent, including Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), Jackie Chan (Monkey) and Seth Rogen (Mantis), but we’d expect them to come on board officially very soon.

With Mark Osborne and John Stevenson moving onto other projects. Jennifer Yu Helson will move up to assume sole directorial responsibility for the film, which will be released in 3D.

We’ve got mixed feelings about this, to be honest. We really liked the first one – it was an enormous and very welcome surprise – and we hope that this sequel can deliver on the quirky characters, and astonishing action setpieces of the original, and that it’s not just a cynical cash-in that will milk the franchise dry. But – hey! – when has Hollywood ever done that?
Chris Hewitt

Have Your Say...
We want to know what you think? To have your say on this, and all of Empire's news stories, register here or login now.


Previous Story
Seymour Hoffman Joins Claymation Pic
Philip signs for Mary & Max
Next Story
Yogi Bear Getting His Own Movie
Someone tell Ranger Smith!

Advertisement


Your Comments
RE: Noooooooo - 3D Sucks!!!
the 1st movie sucked imo ut this one will be class just because jean claude van dammes one of the voices!! ... Read More

Frank Castle About me

12:43, 12 July 2010 | Report This Post
RE: Noooooooo - 3D Sucks!!!
Really late reply - lol - I'm just letting you know that Avatar completely changed my mind about 3D films!!! Roll on the 3D revolution! ... Read More

portman180 About me

23:13, 11 July 2010 | Report This Post
don't trust dreamworks animation for decent sequels... ... Read More

spikespiegel About me

13:21, 04 October 2008 | Report This Post
ugh. I don't want to see this film in 3D, hell i do not want to see the vast majority of films that are coming out in 3D, in 3D. Harry Potter? NO Transformers 2? NO just no. ... Read More

clarkkent About me

18:15, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
Beowulf gave me a headache (possibly because of the 3D or possibly because it was rubbish). Kung Fu Panda was indeed one of the films of the year. Not sure about the need for a sequel or the 3D nonense. Incidentally, can anyone remember Jackie Chan's character uttering more than one line? I can only think of "Or even see his toes". ... Read More

Old_Pyrate About me

14:22, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
RE: Noooooooo - 3D Sucks!!!
To portman 180 I say this: 1. Nightmare Before Christmas 2. U2 3D. Enjoyed them both immensely. Nightmare gives me hope that the Toy Story rejig will look very nice indeed; U2 showed what can be down with live action elements.   More 3d I say! ... Read More

hughjass About me

13:10, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
RE: Noooooooo - 3D Sucks!!!
I'm with Empire on this. Kung Fu Panda was my favourite cinema experience of this year; I enjoyed it more than The Dark Knight, and it was really helped me overcome my extreme disappointment with Wall-E. It was the film I didn't think DreawWorks were capable of, with laudably Pixar-esque production values (genuine affection for and commitment to its characters, story and genre) combining with all of DW's established strengths (snappy pace, bags of energy, genuine desire to please, high star wat... Read More

LeChuck About me

12:11, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
Noooooooo - 3D Sucks!!!
Please, please, please, please, please, please, please don't make it 3D!!! Name 1 3D Feature movie that rules! You can't can you? ... Read More

portman180 About me

10:15, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
RE: Expectations
The first one out did Wall:E for me it was probably the most fun I had at the cinema this year apart from the Dark Knight and possible Iron Man. Hope they do it well because the first one was very good. ... Read More

matthewforan About me

10:14, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
Expectations
Hopefully this wont go the way of Shrek which got steadily worse with each sequel. ... Read More

Karl Crutchley About me

09:13, 02 October 2008 | Report This Post
Next Page

SUBSCRIBE TO EMPIRE
Subscribe To Empire Magazine
Subscribe today from just £30 for the year!
Save 48% off the shop price when you take advantage of this limited offer.


CURRENT HIGHLIGHTS
Video: Tamara Drewe Interviews
We chat to the cast and director of the British comedy

Video: Cyrus Cast Interviews
We talk to stars John C. Reilly, Jonah Hill, Marisa Tomei

Vote: What Is The Greatest Trilogy?
Tell us your three favourite threesomes...

The Genius Of Jeff Goldblum
The legendary actor answers your Twitter questions

How To Be The Perfect Straight Man
Our guide to being not too funny, funnily


Back | Print This Page | Email This Page | Back To Top

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS
Subscribe To Empire
Save 36% off the shop price today
Subscribe today »
Empire DVD Rental
Try 30 days free, plus 6 free cinema tickets
Start your trial today »
The Empire iPhone App
Every Empire film review at your fingertips
More details »
 
Movie News  |  Empire Blog  |  Movie Reviews  |  Future Films  |  Features  |  Video Interviews  |  Image Gallery  |  Competitions  |  Forum  |  Magazine  |  Resources  |  Free Movies
 
Mojo4music  |  Q4Music  |  Kerrang!  |  Aloud.com  |  Kiss
 
© Bauer Consumer Media | Terms And Conditions | Our Data Promise To You | Contact Us | Empire FAQ
Bauer Consumer Media. Company number 1176085 (England). Registered Office: 21 Holborn Viaduct, London EC1A 2DY