Jack Black in Kung Fu Panda
Actor Plays Himself in Panda Fur
Jack Black is a pudgy guy, and that serves him well. He's Hollywood's go-to actor for roles that are insane, crazy and above all, big and loud. His character in Kung Fu Panda, the 'Fu-challenged panda Po, is less an original creation and more a mirror image of Black in fuzzy panda form. Like Black, Po is driven by a sense of adventure and the desire to be greater, but abundant energy doesn't seem to slim down the chub.
Kung Fu Panda Picks the Perfect Voice in Black
Black is able to capture the sense of child-like wonder at watching the Furious Five, the land's greatest Kung-Fu masters, do their stuff. Black himself has made himself a caracature of action stars with his ballet-like (and that term is used quite loosely) dancing abilities and boundless energy. As stated by fellow Tropic Thunder star Robert Downey Jr. in an interview with USAWeekend, "When I think of Jack's talent, I think of words like 'gigantorous,' 'magno-rific,' 'Tyrannosaurus Rexian.' You have to coin new terms to describe how potent a force he is."
Black's Character in Kung Fu Panda Mirrors the Actor's Real-Life Troubles
Interestingly, the character of Po seems to reflect Black's own trials as a comedic actor. When the panda is chosen to be the great "Dragon Warrior" that is to protect the land and bring peace, he is ostracized by the Furious Five, and shunned by the group's trainer. As his comedic career seems to have peaked with the release of the first album of his band, Tenacious D and his roles playing characters that were apparently modeled after him in High Fidelity and School of Rock, Black has become something of a one-trick pony to many viewers, and Black himself worries that America may be sick of him in Tenacious D: The Complete Masterworks Volume Two.
For Black, the role of Po fit like a glove, wanting to prove his worth both in the world of Kung Fu as well as keep himself looking fresh and entertaining to his largest audience, teens.
The Last Word on Jack Black in Kung Fu Panda
Kung Fu Panda did exceedingly well its opening weekend, taking in over $60 million. Black seems to have revitalized his youth audience, which may make up for the tank of his last leading role in Tenacious D in the Pick of Destiny, which took in only $3 milllion its opening weekend. His next role as an early man in The Year One looks to be another classic Black-esque character that revolves more around his ability for physical comedy than anything else, much like the other roles for which he has become popular. If the "Black Bubble" has indeed burst, The Year One will bomb and Jack may be thrown into the Eddie Murphy-like limbo of doing animated films and family comedies for the rest of his career, which would be a loss for the audience as well as the actor.
Jack Black as Po in Kung Fu Panda
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