The Kung Fu Panda film series is undoubtedly one of the most successful animation franchises in Hollywood. Beginning in 2008, the first film’s massive success led to multiple sequels, with the 4th installment having released a few weeks ago in theaters. In each of the films, the loveable panda Po, voiced by the incomparable Jack Black, has battled various villains while discovering his own strength.
In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po faces fresh threats from a formidable new antagonist, Chameleon, along with becoming the Spiritual Leader. While a 5th film in the franchise is yet to be officially confirmed, events in the 4th movie have left audiences with possible hints as to who could be the next ominous foe to challenge the protagonist.
Who Will Be Po’s Nemesis In Kung Fu Panda 5?
Kung Fu Panda 4 has thrown up some interesting questions about what could happen in the future. While Universal Pictures have not officially confirmed a 5th film, director Mike Mitchell revealed that he was definitely envisioning it. This gives rise to various possibilities regarding the path the narrative could take.
In Kung Fu Panda 4, Po fought a terrifying new villain named Chameleon played by Viola Davis. A sorceress with the ability to shapeshift as well as steal a person’s spiritual energy to mimic their abilities, the character proved herself to be an apt villain for the panda. In addition, the film significantly hinted at who might be his next nemesis when a 5th installment takes shape.
Looking at what happened in the 4th film, Po could well be heading to the ocean in the future. In one scene, the panda is seen feuding with a Manta Ray-like creature whom he finally conquers. In addition, there is a brief sequence featuring the protagonist confronting a Dolphin Kung Fu Master.
Could these be Easter eggs thrown in by Mitchell to indicate what one could expect in the 5th film? To add to the intrigue, the director addressed this aquatic connection in an interview with The Direct regarding his plans for Kung Fu Panda 5. Expressing his desire from as early as the 3rd film to see Po fighting swashbuckling marine creatures, Mitchell said,
“This is my very strange, weird, nerdy wish. But in Kung Fu Panda 3, which I executive produced, a guy came up with a gag, and it’s in the film, where Po–We always go to the Hall of Heroes with Po and look around, and I loved the little taste of like, previous Masters that Po always geeks out on. Po looked up, and hanging on the wall, he’s like, ‘Oh my God, it’s Master Dolphin’s armor,’ and you see this Dolphin armor that’s hanging up on the wall. And that just blew my mind. I was like, ‘There’s a whole underwater world for Kung Fu Panda.”
The director though, was realistic about the massive budget that would be required to create a whole aquatic world in the 5th film. Nevertheless, the hints that were dropped in the 4th film point to a possible antagonist from the ocean.
Kung Fu Panda 4 Is Rocking The Box Office
They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and the Kung Fu Panda franchise seems to have found great success by following this principle. The 4th film which released a few weeks ago, has come 8 years after its predecessor, but audiences seem to be lapping it up as enthusiastically as before.
According to a report in Forbes, the film opened to a $59 million domestic box office collection which is the second biggest debut for the Kung Fu Panda series. With this success, the entire franchise is predicted to cross the $2 billion mark as far as the world wide box office is concerned.
Further statistical analysis states that the 4th film will end its run at least $500 million worldwide. With a high amount of nostalgia attached to the franchise, this figure could possibly go up by another $200 million. All these figures are further proof that the loved animation film series is one of the most successful franchises in the world.
Kung Fu Panda 4 is currently running in theaters.
