The third installment of Dreamworks Animation's surprisingly decent KUNG FU PANDA franchise is still a few months away, but once it arrives it won't be without a few changes. THR reports that Rebel Wilson, who was voicing Mei Mei, a crazy ribbon-dancing panda who is romantically obsessed with Po (Jack Black), will be replaced by Kate Hudson in KUNG FU PANDA 3.
The outlet reports that the production schedule for KUNG FU PANDA 3 was extended which unfortunately led to Rebel Wilson having to bow out. Kate Hudson will take over the role and previously completed scenes will now be re-animated to reflect Hudson's take on the character. KUNG FU PANDA 3 sees Jack Black, Jackie Chan, Lucy Liu, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Seth Rogen, and Dustin Hoffman returning to their roles and they will be joined by newcomers Bryan Cranston, J.K. Simmons, and Kate Hudson.
[KUNG FU PANDA 3] sees Po reunited with this long-lost father (Bryan Cranston) and he discovers a long-lost panda paradise. His newfound happiness is threatened with the emergence of a supernatural villain (J.K. Simmons), Po has to go from student to teacher as he must train a village of bears to master the martial arts.
I was never expecting much from an animated film starring Jack Black as a kung fu obsessed panda, but the franchise has managed to pleasantly surprise me twice. Here's hoping they can do so once again when KUNG FU PANDA 3 is released on January 29, 2016.