Tags
It’s finally here! Kung Fu Panda 3 hits theaters this Friday, January 29; and like you, we popcorn-lovers here at West Bend can’t wait to see one of the most highly-anticipated family films of the year.
To get you even more excited for the star-studded animated film, which features the voices of Jack Black (Po), Angelina Jolie (Tigress), Dustin Hoffman (Shifu), Jackie Chan (Monkey), Seth Rogan (Mantis) and Kate Hudson (Mei Mei), we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite fun and insightful interviews with cast and crew:
The entertainment news site visited DreamWorks’ animation campus to screen some scenes from Kung Fu Panda 3, and had the opportunity to chat with directors Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni, along with producer Melissa Cobb, about all things Kung Fu Panda. When asked at what point they decided to make a third Kung Fu Panda film, Nelson said:
Whenever we come up with an idea, it’s always based on what the characters ask us. The characters are like real people to us. We’ve been working on these movies for 10 years. It’s always based on what Po has to find out, and that guides us on how we start creating the idea for a movie. With this one, people kept asking, “Is Po going to meet that guy?” So, we had to answer that question. With the first movie, people kept asking, “Why is Po’s father a ghost?,” and that’s what led us to the second movie. But, it’s always based on a question that’s circling around Po. If there’s a strong enough question that we want to know the answer to, that’s when we start pursuing the movie.
Check out the full Q&A to read on about what goes into the creation of one of the most successful animated franchises in the world.
2. “Sparring with Jack Black, Star of Kung Fu Panda 3” – Sports Illustrated Kids
Jack Black has starred in all three Kung Fu Panda movies as the primary protagonist, Po. Sports Illustrated Kids ran an entertaining dialogue with Black about how he channels his character, his kung fu idols, and of course, sports. On how he keeps Po’s character “fresh and fun,” Black replied:
Well you know, it is always fun to be in the recording studio laying down tracks for Po. He is a fun character no matter how many times you played him. He loves kung fu, what’s more fun than that? There is a new script, a new story, new challenges – it was easy!
When I am recording, I do get physical. If my character is doing kung fu, then I like to do kung fu, too, just to make it sound realistic. Because if you are just standing still while your character is doing kung fu on the screen, it doesn’t sound real and you can tell. I am a Method actor, so I want it all to sound really real.
3. “Angelina Jolie on Brad’s Oscar Nom, Working with Her Kids in Kung Fu Panda 3” – Extra
At the premiere of Kung Fu Panda 3, Extra‘s Terri Seymour caught up with Angelina Jolie. Reprising her role as Tigress for the movie, Jolie made it a true family affair this time around: four out of her six children — Pax, 12; Zahara, 10; Shiloh, 9; and Knox, 7 — join her in providing voices for the film! On having her children work on their first movie with her, Jolie said:
It’s been, ‘If you want to, you can jump in, and here’s a crazy idea’… and some of them were shy, but this one they all really wanted to do, and they all came together and did their recording together and took it very seriously — it was cute.” She laughed, “Now that they’ve had a taste, they think Mommy’s job is ridiculously easy.
Popsugar had an intimate conversation with Kate Hudson, who plays Po’s new love interest, Mei Mei, in Kung Fu Panda 3. Popsugar chatted with Hudson about her own family dynamics, and how the story theme resonated with her personal life.
The patchwork family. Love is love is love is love. I think, especially in today’s age, that’s a wonderful, comforting message to kids. But also, I think this [movie] is really about Po’s identity, and finding out who he is, and then becoming his own person. That transition into becoming a little man. And I have that boy [Ryder] right now! I’ve got the tween. Po’s a tween. It’s an amazing time, going through puberty. You’re figuring out, “Who am I gonna be? What is my future?” You’re just trying to really understand that you are your own person. It can be very scary and it can also be very exciting. That era of puberty is so huge. Especially for boys.
Over the next few days, you can find us posted up with family, friends and a big bowl of popcorn while we re-watch the first two Kung Fu Panda movies.
To find a theater near you (or just watch more trailers), visit: http://www.foxmovies.com/movies/kung-fu-panda-3
See you in theaters this Friday!
West Bend Popcorn 