The newest addition to theKung Fu Pandafranchise,Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, premiered on July 14 on Netflix. The streaming series will follow Po on a new, action-packed adventure without his Furious Five team. Things have changed for the Dragon Master in the series, including his foes, his friends, and some of the franchise’s cast. If you’re curious to learn who will join Po on his next epic journey then look no further. We’ve searched across land and sea, and put together the pieces detailing who the new, and returning, fearless fighters are, and which legendary actors will voice them.
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Jack Blackas Po
Throughout theKung Fu Pandafranchise, audiences have watched the clumsy panda Po learn not only combat and the limits of his dumpling consumption, but resilience to push through the hard times, the strength to confront his past, and the incredible power of love and friendship. Now, stripped by the Emperor of his legendary title as Dragon Master, Po sets out on a new, action-packed journey of trust and self-discovery.
When a pair of mischievous weasels begin collecting powerful artifacts, brave Po decides to earn the title of Dragon Master back by saving China, and the world, from its impending doom. To do so, Po learns that he cannot do everything on his own, and must work with his new companion, a cut-throat, no-nonsense knight from England who goes by the name Luthera the Wandering Blade.
The musical, high energy, and cartoonish in nature,Jack Blackreturns to take on his role as the big-hearted, clumsy warrior Po. Black has voiced the dumpling-loving panda for 14 years, though, this will be the first time he is not joined by any of his Furious Five costars. Black is known for his starring role as Dewey Finn in the music-forward filmSchool of Rock. The accomplished comedy actor, who started his acting career in 1984, worked his way up from ten years of small parts in television series to taking on roles in 90s film favoritesThe Cable Guy,Bio-Dome, andMars Attacks!,eventually starring in incredibly funny films with his original Jack Black comedy style, such asNacho Libre. Black, who is more than musically talented, is able to convey a range of emotions through his voice. Before taking on the role of Po, Black voiced the loudmouthed, bloodthirsty saber-tooth tiger Zeke in 2002sIce Age, as well as Lenny the vegetarian shark in the 2004 animated comedyShark Tale. TheTenacious Dactor is currently working on a yet-to-be-titled Super Mario project alongsideChris PrattandCharlie Dayandwill be appearing alongsideKevin HartandJamie Lee Curtisin the upcomingBorderlandsfilmwhere he takes on the role of a character named Claptrap.
Rita Ora as Luthera the Wandering Blade
Balancing out Po’s clumsy and clownish ways, Luthera the Wandering Blade, sporting impressive emblazoned armor and sword, has trained for years to become the wise, confident, and powerful knight that she is today. Though it may seem that she has a lot to teach naive Po, she also has a lot to learn from her sincere, resilient panda partner. Perhaps, that the mark of a true hero is humility.
As her name suggests, Luthera is a hero of the people and takes her duties as a knight very seriously. Her title as the Wandering Blade foreshadows the quest ahead of the two bear warriors, as they must travel the land, racing to locate the four hidden artifacts before their weasel nemeses do.
Rita Ora, an actress, and musician will be voicing the bold and brave Luthera the Wandering Blade. Rita is most recognizable for her role as Mia Grey, the adoptive sister of Christian Grey in the film adaptation ofFifty Shades of Grey. This will be the singer/songwriter’s first voice acting role in a series, having previously lent her voice to a wolf character in theLil Dickymusic video titled “Earth.” Ora’s next appearance will be in the long-delayed fantasy filmWonderwell, where she stars alongside the late belovedStar WarsactressCarrie Fisher.
James Hong as Mr. Ping
The adoptive father of the fearless Dragon Warrior, Mr. Ping has a heart as big as a crate of radishes. Although his greatest wish was to see his son take over the family business, the gray goose is proud of Po for following his own dreams. No matter what his son is going through, the noodle shop owner always offers up kind words of support over a steaming hot bowl of his famous soup. As his beloved son sets out on another epic quest, Mr. Ping will surely be chasing behind him to make sure he brought enough snacks and offering up plenty of heartfelt advice. It seems, though, that Mr. Ping will take on a more courageous role in this epic series, donning a helmet and sword of his own, and heading into battle.
ActorJames Hong, who has voiced Mr. Ping since the firstKung Fu Pandafilm, will be reprising his role as the loving father goose. Hong is known for his role as David Lo Pan in the 1986 sci-fi filmBig Trouble in Little China. Known for his performances both on and off screen, theEverything Everywhere All at Onceactor has voiced characters in many animated films and series, includingTurning Red,Chowder,Avatar: The Last Airbender, and the recently releasedPoorly Drawn Lines. In October Hong will be bringing another animated character to life inthe upcoming stop-motion filmWendell and Wild, a dark adventure comedy in which Hong voices a character named Mr. Bests.
Della Saba as Veruca Dumont
Hailing from England, Veruca is a mischievous, manipulative minx who flutters her long eyelashes and sweet talks her way into getting what she wants out of others. Laughing her way through her villainous journey, this narcissistic knave weasels her way into the good graces of others just to take advantage of them, treating them as insignificant stepping stones on her way to the top. As the brains of the operation, there’s no doubt this power-hungry weasel will turn on even her own brother, Klaus, if necessary.
The character Veruca will be voiced by actressDella Saba, who is known mostly for her work as a voice actress. Audiences may recognize Saba’s voice as that of the character Aquamarine from the animated seriesSteven Universe, or as a young Judy Hopps in the Disney filmZootopia. Most recently theStillwateractress appeared alongsideRose ByrneandRory Scovelin the Apple TV+ seriesPhysical, which details the life of a 1980s housewife who decides to start her own aerobics lifestyle company.
Chris Geere as Klaus Dumont
Brutish brother of the clever and conniving Veruca, Klaus is the muscle to his sister’s scheming plans. Klaus lets his sister do the talking, often standing just slightly behind her and following her lead.
Chris Geerewill be taking on the role of the cut-throat weasel Klaus. Geere, who is known for his recurring role as Philip inThis Is Us, is taking on his second ever voice acting role in the upcomingKung Fu Pandaseries. Geere has previously voiced multiple characters in the animated comedyAnimaniacs, a 2021 reboot of the classic 1990s cartoon. Geere has appeared mostly in television series, though audiences may recognize him as Roger Clifford from the 2019Pokémon: Detective Pikachufilm.
Ed Weeks as Colin
Colin is the one-eyed antelope that Po refers to as the “weird cloaky guy”. The weird cloaky guy wears a heavy fur cloak with a hood that the character utilizes to hide his identity and the roots of his chopped-off horns. It may be that this mysterious character and Luthera have some history, as hinted when the two face off and Luthera gets ahold of his kpinga throwing blade. How did the two happen upon each other on their journey? After all, there are no accidents. Luthera and Colin will have to face their past, to let their memories breathe and their wounds heal.
Actor/writerEd Weekswill be voicing the mysterious Colin. Weeks is known for portraying Jeremy Reed in the long-running seriesThe Mindy Project. Apart from lending his voice to the video game titledHaze, theKung Fu Pandaseries will be Week’s second ever voice acting role, having previously voiced the character Superglue in an episode ofRobot Chicken. It was recently announced that Weeks will be appearing in the pilot episode of the upcoming television seriesSomeone Out There, though not much is known about the developing project at this time.
Rahnuma Panthaky as Rukhmini
Rukhmini, a long-tailed macaque, is the keeper of one of the powerful Tianshang weapons that the villainous duo seeks. Small and a bit older than the smaller foes, she is not to be underestimated, as she wields the glowing whip, striking down foes as easy as tree branches with the weapon’s fiery power. It is not yet known if Rukhmini is friend or foe, or somewhere in between, though the series’ trailer alludes to the monkey facing off against both Mr. Ping and Luthera.
Rahnuma Panthaky, who is known for her role as Josie in the ABC seriesModern Family, will be voicing Rukhmini. Panthaky got her start in the television seriesDegrassi Highin 1990, eventually going on to work on crime drama series such asNCIS,Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders,andScandal. Audiences may also recognize her from theTeen Wolfseries, in which she portrayed Ms. Fleming, a tough but fair teacher of mathematics.
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Amy Hill as Pei Pei
This unsuspected pig in lipstick plays an unknown role in the Dragon Knight story. Pei Pei, whose kind, makeuped face sits below a curious little green hat, may be another keeper of a sought-after Tianshang weapon. Based on her unusual choices of accessories, she may be the proprietor of a traditional Chinese delicacy, and based on its gelatinous appearance, our guess is congee.
Pei Pei will be voiced by accomplished actressAmy Hill, who has appeared in over 190 film and television projects. Hill is recognizable for her roles as Mrs. Kwan, the babysitter in the 2003 live-action adaptation ofDr. Seuss’The Cat in the Hat, as well as the tough but loving waitress Sue in theAdam Sandler-fronted film50 First Dates. In her 38 years on screen, Hill has appeared in such notable films and shows asScrooged,Perfect Strangers,Beverly Hills, 90210,3rd Rock from the Sun,Lilo & Stitch,Grey’s Anatomy,General Hospital,The Office, and much more. Most recently Hill has appeared as the recurring character Kumu in theMagnum P.I.series.
