There are a lot of things to be excited about in the new year, but Kung Fu Panda 4 has to be at the top of the list.
That's right; Jack Black is back as Po with a whole new set of adventures, as well as a few new cast members.
Check out the first trailer for the upcoming movie below:
Black is set to return for the fourth time as our beloved, ever-hungry Po following the success of the first three movies, which began with the original Kung Fu Panda 15 - yes, 15 - years ago.
Since then, he's grown and matured, made some new friends, tackled some tough enemies, and shown off endless impressive moves.
The upcoming movie will introduce fans to some new characters, voiced by Awkwafina, Ke Huy Quan and Viola Davis, who Black welcomed himself in a post on social media.
"The #KungFuPanda family just got bigger," Black wrote. "Welcome @awkwafina and @violadavis."
As we return for the fourth time to the world of Kung Fu Panda, viewers will follow Po as he leaves behind his role of Dragon Warrior and takes on a new title.
The panda must become a mentor, taking over from Grand Master Oogway, and set about finding the new Dragon Warrior to replace his now-empty position.
It's not all quite as simple as Po might hope, though, as a powerful villain - the most dangerous threat Po has ever faced - attempts to put a stop to his plans.
Despite Black offering Davis a warm welcome on Instagram, their relationship isn't so friendly in the film as Davis takes on the role of the villain, called the Chameleon.
True to her character's name, the Chameleon is a master of disguise - and not just because she can change color. Instead, the evil creature can take the form of any creature she likes, including Po himself.
After acting as the Panda for so many years, Black opened up about his continued love for the character in an interview with Polygon.
He explained: "He’s eternally this nerdy kid. [He] just loves kung fu and the action figures and the mythology around it, and all the great kung fu masters. And I think it appeals to the childlike fascination, sense of adventure that we all have.”
Fans will be able to see Black's latest portrayal of the 'nerdy' Po when Kung Fu Panda 4 arrives in cinemas on March 8, 2024.
Emily Brown