Kung Fu Panda (2008): cast, story, release date and box office

DreamWorks Animation produced this 2008 American animated martial arts comedy, with John Stevenson and Mark Osborne at the helm as directors, and screenwriters Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. The inaugural film of the Kung Fu Panda series features Jack Black voicing Po, a large panda whose ambition is to master kung fu. The film is set in ancient China and follows Po after he is unexpectedly named the 'Dragon Warrior' by Master Oogway, a prophesied hero who must stop the escaped snow leopard Tai Lung.

The story begins when Master Shifu learns from his mentor, Master Oogway, that Tai Lung has escaped from prison and will attempt to seize the Dragon Scroll, an artifact said to grant limitless power. Shifu announces a tournament to select one of his five students—the Furious Five—as the Dragon Warrior. Po, who has long wanted to train in kung fu despite his father's wishes, arrives late to the tournament and accidentally ends up in front of the Five during the awarding ceremony. Master Oogway then declares Po the Dragon Warrior, a decision Shifu initially believes is a mistake. The Five dismiss Po, but Oogway encourages him to persevere. As Po trains with the group, he gains their trust through his resilience and humor. Tigress reveals that Tai Lung was once Shifu’s student and adopted son, rejected by Oogway due to sensed malice, which led to his betrayal and rampage. After escaping, Tai Lung returns to the Valley, and Shifu informs Po and the Five that Po is the only one who can stop him.

Cast and characters include Jack Black as Po, Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, Angelina Jolie as Master Oogway, Ian McShane as the Snow Leopard Tai Lung, Seth Rogen as Monkey, Lucy Liu as Crane, David Cross as Mantis, Randall Duk Kim as Viper, James Hong as the Tortoise Master, Dan Fogler as the Goon, and Michael Clarke Duncan as the Dragon. Jackie Chan also provides a voice role.

The film was released in the United States on June 6, 2008, and had its world premiere at the 61st Cannes Film Festival on May 15, 2008. It premiered in IMAX in the U.S. on June 1, 2008, and in the United Kingdom on June 26, 2008. It was released on DVD and Blu-ray on November 9, 2008, with a 3D Blu-ray release on December 6, 2011, as a Best Buy exclusive. The DVD includes the short film 'Secrets of the Furious Five'.

The film had a budget of $130 million. By October 9, 2008, the film had earned $215 million in North America and $416 million globally outside that region, totaling $632 million worldwide. This made it the highest-grossing non-Shrek film from DreamWorks Animation in the U.S. and Canada at the time.