Kung Fu Panda is an animated film about a panda who learns martial arts and then uses this new ability to fight his enemies. Kung Fu Panda is being directed by John Stevenson and Mark Osborne and produced by Melissa Cobb. The idea for the film was conceived by Michael Lachance, a DreamWorks Animation executive. The film is due for release on June 6, 2008. It will be distributed by Paramount Pictures. The film stars the voices of, among others, Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Dustin Hoffman, Angelina Jolie and Lucy Liu.

Po (Jack Black) is a panda who is a kung fu fanatic, but whose defining characteristic appears to be that he is the laziest animal in ancient China. Evil warrior Tai Lung has escaped from prison, and all hopes have been pinned on a prophecy naming Po as the "Chosen One" to save the day. He has a group of martial arts masters to help him.

Notably, a number of the martial arts masters are animals who feature in the Chinese Zodiac - Tigress, Monkey and Snake. Others are stances commonly used in the art of kung fu - the Crane and the Mantis.

Cameos:
Ben Stiller from Madagascar, Will Smith from Shark Tale, and Chris Rock from Bee Movie. Stiller and Rock have also been in Madagascar together. Black, Jolie and Smith have also been in Shark Tale. Hong and Fogler have also been in Balls Of Fury.

Marketing:
The first Teaser trailer has been released with DreamWorks Animation's new animated film Bee Movie as of today. However, it has been online a few days before. Mattel has acquired the worldwide toy rights.

Crew:
Music by Hans Zimmer 
Production designer Raymond Zibach 
Director of photography Yong Duk Jhun 
Co-produced by Jonathan Aibel & Glenn Berger 
Produced by Melissa Cobb 
Directed by Mark Osborne and John Stevenson 
Visual Effects Supervisor Markus Manninen 

Soundtrack:
Composer Hans Zimmer is announced to be scoring the film. Zimmer will be heading to China to absorb the culture and get to know the Chinese National Symphony, all as part of his preparation to write music for Kung Fu Panda. "Even the title should tell you that we ain't in Kansas any more," Zimmer points out. "With Jack Black as the big kung fu-fighting panda, you know it's going to be something else."

Additionally, in an interview with GQ, record producer Timbaland also confirmed that he will be contributing tracks to the soundtrack.

Cast:
Jack Black as Po - Giant Panda 
Jackie Chan as Master Monkey - Monkey 
Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu - Red Panda 
Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress - South China Tiger 
Lucy Liu as Master Viper - Viper 
Ian McShane as Tai Lung - Snow Leopard 
David Cross as Master Crane - Japanese Crane 
Seth Rogen as Master Mantis - Praying Mantis 
Michael Clarke Duncan as Commander Vachir - Javan Rhino 
James Hong as Mr. Ping - Goose 
Dan Fogler as Zeng - Palace Goose 
Randall Duk Kim as Oogway - Tortoise 
2 Lucky Grand Prize Winners as unknown

GOOD LINKS TO VISIT:

• Official Site
• Wikipedia Article