The new trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 has generated peak excitement among fans. The Furious Five, protectors of the Valley of Peace, were notably absent from the trailer, leading to some disappointment among fans. The Five were fan favorites, especially due to the A-list actors voicing their roles in the film. Fans speculated whether the Five were absent from the movie or if it was a clever trick to surprise the audience.
The Furious Five consists of Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane, who help out the Dragon Warrior, Po Ping, in his adventures. These characters were voiced by Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, and David Cross, respectively.
Fans Were Disappointed With The Furious Five’s Absence In Kung Fu Panda 4 Trailer
Kung Fu Panda 4’s trailer featured the return of Jack Black’s titular giant panda. The film also has some new additions, including Viola Davis, Awkwafina, and Ke Huy Quan. Despite the excitement for these new characters, many fans were left disappointed to see the Furious Five completely omitted from the trailer.
WHERE ARE THEY?! #KungFuPanda4 pic.twitter.com/SsObW56jDL
— Matt Ramos (@therealsupes) December 13, 2023
Many fans questioned whether the Five would return for the movie. Fans were unanimous in their opinion that the movie would feel incomplete without them. Kung Fu Panda fans started demanding an explanation from the filmmakers, tagging Dreamworks in their comments. Others also had speculations as to why they were omitted from the trailer.
One fan theorized that the Five might have gone their separate ways after the events of the last film. They also speculated that the Chameleon could be involved, and Po Ping’s adventure could revolve around retrieving them. The fan also put forth another theory that the film couldn’t get all of its A-list actors back to voice the characters. Some fan reactions read:
it’s incomplete without them
disappointed @Dreamworks— Muthuvel Pandian (@decommuter) December 13, 2023
I didn’t even notice they weren’t in the poster or the trailer. Are they even in this movie???
— QuakeNinja58 (@QuakeNinja58) December 13, 2023
They better be there!!
— 💛J-jud💜 (@JayelJudicious) December 13, 2023
Either they went their separate ways, or that Chameleon has got to them, or maybe they couldn’t get the actors to voice their characters
— O7493 (@Ogu7383) December 13, 2023
Probably Retired.
— Idksamad onlypain (@IdkSamad) December 13, 2023
They will come at the end like Avengers: Endgame
— Mikeshashimi (@Mikeshashimi) December 13, 2023
The fourth film gets new directors, Mike Mitchell and Stephanie Ma Stine, and is produced by Rebecca Huntley. Mitchell and Huntley have now provided an update about the Furious Five’s appearance in the film.
Will The Furious Five Appear In Kung Fu Panda 4?
Director Mike Mitchell and producer Rebecca Huntley have confirmed that the Furious Five will indeed make an appearance in the fourth film. During an interview with Collider, the interviewer voiced the fans’ concern about the Five’s absence in the trailer. Mitchell responded by confirming the Five’s appearance, however, he also hinted that their role would be significantly small. Mitchell shared with Collider:
“[The Furious Five] make an appearance, I’ll tell you that much. But to be fair, Po is leaving the Valley of Peace and he’s going on a huge adventure to this giant city…”
Mitchell also confirmed the return of Bryan Cranston, Dustin Hoffman, and James Hong in their respective roles. The trailer confirmed the return of an old nemesis of Po, Tai Lung, voiced by Ian McShane. But Mitchell added that “a few villains” will also be returning in the film. Kung Fu Panda 4 will hit theaters on March 8, 2024. Fans can now enjoy the earlier Kung Fu Panda films by streaming them on Netflix.
