Universal Studios is the studio behind the Kung Fu Panda franchise. In a controversial interview with the co-director of Kung Fu Panda 4, it seems that Universal Studios may allegedly have a fame-related mandate for their movies!
Reportedly looking past talent and who would fit the role better, the co-director of Kung Fu Panda 4 talked about how Universal Studios allegedly has a mandate that they have been rumored to apply everywhere. Hiring only “stars” to lend their voice to these animated characters, the people weren’t so impressed with the decision.
Universal Studios’ Alleged Mandate Might Upset Fans For Kung Fu Panda 4
A moderator on Reddit recently announced that he got to talk with the co-director of Kung Fu Panda 4 and the questions were really interesting. Amidst the plethora of questions that the people had in mind, one of the questions the moderator asked was how the directors decided which actor to approach for voice acting.
In a response that was a bit shocking to hear, the alleged co-director revealed that Universal Studios (the studios behind Kung Fu Panda 4) had a certain mandate. The mandate helped with the selection of the actors but it also… not exactly a fair system to work with.
“We put together a list of 3-4 of our top picks of actors or voice actors (there is kind of a difference). For a tentpole movie like this, Universal (our parent company)’s mandate is for us to hire ‘stars’. This is NOT a proven thing, but apparently ‘stars’ get people to buy movie tickets.”
And with those statements, fans were somewhat upset with the mandate enforced by Universal Studios. Taking to X, here’s what the fans thought about the whole situation.
I really don’t understand this. As if someone is seeing an animated movie just because the voice actor for a character is a Star. The way Hollywood approaches voice acting in animation is awful
— Nicholas Light (@NicholasLightTV) March 11, 2024
Why go for names? I understand the draw and it obviously can benefit a film. But I feel like there's many talented people out there who have yet to get the chance or get the opportunity to headline a film.
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) March 11, 2024
Yikes
— Samantha J. Foster Composer (@sjfostersound) March 11, 2024
Hmmm I mean this isn’t a bad thing but you could be missing out on some great voices just to get stars instead. pic.twitter.com/bgSiSSI60o
— CynicalFate (@CynicalFate) March 11, 2024
No wonder ordinary talented people are not able to get a gig.
— Sthamber (@Sthamber) March 11, 2024
sad but makes sense for marketing purposes.
easier to sell chris pratt than some talented voice actor no one knows— alex (@DillyandTruffle) March 11, 2024
And if it weren’t clear enough, there has been no confirmation whether Universal Studios uses this mandate or not. On the other hand, the star of the film, Jack Black, has his own stories to tell about his time promoting the Kung Fu Panda movies!
With the film having been released, the star of the film Jack Black talked about how he had a very fun trip to China. Having no idea why he was there at all, Black revealed that it felt like passing the torch to another person which felt good.
When Jack Black Promoted Kung Fu Panda
Jack Black, who voiced the character of Po in the Kung Fu Panda franchise, once sat alongside Graham Norton on The Graham Norton Show to talk about the Kung Fu Panda franchise. Talking about the time he was in China, Black revealed that he was seriously lost at the promotional event.
”I was in Korea and China yeah we went doing Kung Fu Panda we were doing Kung Fu Panda promotion, yeah. I know where you’re going it’s not my voice, they got a Chinese person doing the voice. It’s not my face, it’s a cartoon why am I there?”
He further continued,
“Okay well because I think it helps to have a Bonafide Hollywood Legend there and then I do a high five to the Chinese actor and I pass the torch and I don’t know why I’m there. It was a fun trip.”
So all in all, Jack Black’s trip wasn’t that bad, after all. Kung Fu Panda 4 received a rating of 6.7/10 on IMDB and an average of 71% on Rotten Tomatoes. The film is currently screening in theaters across the world for people to see.
