DreamWorks' "Kung Fu Panda 3" will feature the world's only surviving panda triplets: Meng Meng, Ku Ku, and Shuai Shuai. They are the first panda triplets to make an appearance on film. Their appearance is intended to spread a message of awareness to global audiences that pandas in real life are endangered, and help is needed to care for them to ensure their continued survival.
According to GB Times, China News Service reported this official announcement in a press conference held in Chimelong Safari Park, where the panda cubs live. General Manager of Chimelong Safari Park, Dong Guixin, told a CCTV news reporter that they hope the appearance of the pandas in the film will show their peaceful, loving nature, and make the audience become "aware of the importance of wildlife protection".
Oriental DreamWorks CEO Fang Gan also spoke in the press conference in which he expressed his optimism on the current growth of the Chinese film industry. Gan explains that producers in China have decided to add more elements of Chinese culture in films to attract more moviegoers, and at the same time, to let global audiences know more about China. He says that the inclusion of the panda triplets in Kung Fu Panda 3 is a way to let audiences get a "deeper understanding of China". Kung Fu Panda 3 is produced by DreamWorks Animation and Oriental DreamWorks.
The Daily Mail reports that the now famous panda triplets are almost 16 months old. The name "Meng Meng" means "cute", "Ku Ku" means "cool", while "Shuai Shuai" means "handsome". They were born in Chimelong Safari Park in Guangzhou, China, on July 29, 2014. The cubs were born within four hours of each other and weighed between 8 to 12 ounces. Their mother is Ju Xiao, who was impregnated with a sperm from a resident panda at the Guangzhou Zoo. According to Day Herald, pandas in the wild are currently estimated to be at 1,600, while those raised in captivity number to 300. They are classified as nearly endangered due to dwindling numbers primarily caused by low birth rates and loss of habitat.
Kung Fu Panda 3 is directed by Alessandro Carloni and Jennifer Yuh Nelson while the screenplay is written by Glenn Berger and Jonathan Aibel. Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, David Cross, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, James Hong, Lucy Liu, and Seth Rogen will return to voice their characters. Randall Duk will return briefly as Master Oogway. New cast voicing new characters include J.K. Simmons as Kai, the new villain, Bryan Cranston as Li, Po's biological dad, and Kate Hudson as Mei Mei, Po's love interest.
Kung Fu Panda 3 will simultaneously debut in theaters across the US and China on January 29, 2016.
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