Tr3s Exclusive: First Peek At 'Kung Fu Panda 2'

By Michael Lopez

Get ready for an epic animated battle this summer. In one corner, you’ve got the popular four-wheeled personalities from Pixar’s Cars 2. But DreamWorks Animation is unleashing another familiar competitor to the mix, namely Master Po from Kung Fu Panda 2!

Mixing Jack Black with witty fast-paced cartoons is a no-brainer. Judging by his success as the host of this year’s Kid’s Choice Awards, you know he can connect with the eager pre-teen audience. And he’s proven it before as the main voice in 2008’s original Kung Fu Panda (which happened to gross over $630 million).

This time out, Black’s furry alter-ego is getting a little help from Tr3s fave Guillermo del Toro, who is an executive producer for Kung Fu 2. He'll also be joined onscreen by the lovable Furious Five squad (Monkey, Tigress, Crane, Viper, and Mantis) and Dustin Hoffman’s wise little butt kicker Master Shifu.

Of course, it’s the new characters that are creating the most buzz for Panda fans. 80’s action star Jean-Claude Van Damme has reportedly signed on to voice Master Croc and he’ll be joined by even more black belts from the animal kingdom, including Master Thundering Rhino and Master Storming Ox.

But if there’s one newbie Po needs to look out for, it’s Lord Shen. An evil albino peacock, Shen looks pretty shifty from the exclusive character design that was provided to Tr3s. Sporting white, red, and black feathers, a silver robe, and some seriously long eyebrows, he’s got his heart on banishing the ancient art of kung fu!

As you can imagine, Po and the Furious Five are determined not to let that happen and they’ll be dishing out plenty of 3D chops and kicks to make sure the evil peacock learns his lesson. We’re confident the Kung Fu Panda will squash the exploits of Shen, but can the animated senseis take down Lightning McQueen? That's the question we really want answered this summer.

Are you looking forward to Kung Fu Panda 2? Sound off in the comments or @MTV3.

Tags Animation, Dreamworks, Hot Stuff, Jack Black, kung fu panda, Kung Fu Panda 2, Movies & CineMás, Tr3s Exclusives