Why Kung Fu Panda Netflix Show Is Darker Than Dreamworks Movies

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Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight EP Peter Hastings explains why the show is darker than the DreamWorks movies. DreamWorks Animation's Kung Fu Panda franchise kicked off in 2008 with a feature film that saw the clumsy panda, Po, save his valley and impress the martial arts trainer Master Shifu (Dustin Hoffman). The movie proved to be a critical and commercial hit, and its popularity warranted two sequels, Kung Fu Panda 2 in 2011 and Kung Fu Panda 3 in 2016, which were both quite successful. In all the movies, Jack Black voiced the anthropomorphic protagonist, although for the animated series, Kung Fu Panda: Legends of Awesomeness and Kung Fu Panda: The Paws of Destiny, Mick Wingert took over the voiceover duties. Now, however, Black is again set to voice Po for the upcoming Netflix animated series, marking his first return to the franchise since 2016.

Primed to arrive on Netflix on July 14, 2022, Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight will see Po embark on his latest adventure as he tours the world seeking redemption and justice. In his new mission, Po will team up with some returning characters, like his father, Mr. Ping (James Hong), but primarily he will be accompanied by the no-nonsense knighted English bear, Wandering Blade, voiced by the British singer Rita Ora. Last month, the Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight trailer teased Po's new adventure, and it included the same entertaining blend of humor and action that is characteristic of the franchise. However, it seems that the show will include some deep and intense scenes as well.

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Now, in an exclusive conversation with Screen Rant, Hastings explains why Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight is darker than previous