After three fantastic adventures as the legendary Dragon Warrior, destiny calls for Po to take the next step and fill Oogway’s shoes as the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace in Kung Fu Panda 4. “Po’s journey this time around as the Spiritual Leader adds a whole new layer to his personality,” says Black.
“He has a new depth to him, like this whole ‘wise and all-knowing’ thing, but, at the same time, part of him wonders, ‘Can I really do this?” he continues. “Am I wise enough to step into these shoes? Can you be the wisest dude in the room and still crack a joke?’ Po thinks so. And he’s out there trying, and that’s what makes Po so awesome. The most rewarding part is seeing Po evolve emotionally, going from a noodle-slurping warrior to a spiritual leader with a heart as big as his appetite.”