He visited China to absorb the culture and get to know the China National Symphony Orchestra as part of his preparation. A sequel, Kung Fu Panda 2, was released on May 2. Kung Fu Panda Legends of Awesomeness later that same year as a part of a franchise. A second sequel called Kung Fu Panda 3 was released on January 2. Kung Fu Panda premiered in the United States on June 6, 2. The film received critical acclaim upon release. Kung Fu Panda opened in 4,1. The film became Dream. Works biggest opening for a non sequel film, the highest grossing animated film of the year worldwide, and also had the fourth largest opening weekend for a Dream. Works animated film at the American and Canadian box office, behind Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After. In the Valley of Peace, a land in ancient China inhabited by anthropomorphic animals, the giant panda Po is a kung fu fanatic who idolizes the Furious Five Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper, and Crane a quintet of kung fu students trained by the red panda Master Shifu. As he helps his adoptive goose3 father Mr. Ping in his noodle restaurant, Po is unable to pursue his dream of becoming a kung fu master himself. Grand Master Oogway, an old tortoise and Shifus mentor, has a vision that Shifus former student, the evil snow leopard Tai Lung, will escape from prison and return to the Valley of Peace to take revenge for being denied the Dragon Scroll, which is said to hold the secret to limitless power. Shifu is alarmed and sends his messenger, the goose Zeng, with a request for the prison to heighten security in order to prevent Tai Lungs escape. He then holds a kung fu tournament for the Furious Five so that Oogway may identify the Dragon Warrior, the one kung fu master worthy of receiving the Dragon Scroll and capable of defeating Tai Lung. Forced to take a cumbersome noodle cart to the tournament, Po arrives as the arena doors close and is unable to enter. Desperate to see the Dragon Warrior chosen, Po straps himself to a set of fireworks, rockets into the sky, and crashes into the middle of the arena and opens his eyes to see Oogway pointing his finger at him. To the shock of everyone present, Oogway proclaims Po as the Dragon Warrior. Unwilling to accept that Oogways decision was intentional, Shifu tries to get rid of Po through a torturous and agonizing training regime. The Furious Five also scorn and disparage Po as an upstart with no skill or potential in kung fu. However, after receiving encouragement from Oogway, Po endures his training and slowly begins to befriend the Five with his tenacity, culinary skill, and good humor. Meanwhile, Tai Lung escapes from prison as foreseen by Oogway, ironically picking his locks with one of Zengs fallen feathers. Shifu learns of Tai Lungs escape from Zeng and informs Oogway, who extracts a promise from Shifu to believe in Po, and then passes on to the heavens in a stream of peach blossoms. Still unable to grasp the basics of kung fu, Po despairingly admits that he has no chance of defeating Tai Lung. Shifu, however, discovers that Po is capable of impressive physical feats when motivated by food. Using this as positive reinforcement, Shifu successfully trains Po to incorporate these feats into an effective kung fu style. Meanwhile, the Furious Five set out to stop Tai Lung themselves, only to be overwhelmed and defeated by Tai Lungs nerve strikes. Shifu decides that Po is ready to receive the Dragon Scroll, but the scroll reveals nothing but a blank reflective surface. Believing the scroll to be useless, Shifu orders Po and the Five to evacuate the valley. As Tai Lung arrives and fights Shifu, the distraught Po finds Mr. Ping who, in an attempt to console him, reveals that the long withheld secret ingredient to his famous secret ingredient soup is nothing, explaining that things become special if they are believed to be. Po realizes that this concept is the entire point of the Dragon Scroll, and goes back to confront Tai Lung before he is able to kill Shifu. Po becomes a formidable challenge for Tai Lung, frustrating him with confusing fighting techniques on top of a physique that renders him immune to Tai Lungs dangerous nerve strikes. Tai Lung momentarily bests Po and retrieves the scroll, but is unable to understand or accept its symbolic meaning. Eventually, Po defeats Tai Lung in combat before using the mysterious Wuxi Finger Hold to vanquish him. Po is praised by the Valley of Peace and earns the respect of all the Furious Five, who fully acknowledge him as a true kung fu master. Po then finds Shifu, who finally attains inner peace with the valley safe once more. From left to right Viper, Monkey, Mantis on Monkeys head, Shifu, Tigress, and Crane. The Furious Five are homages to the actual Snake, Monkey, Praying Mantis, Tiger, and Crane styles of Chinese martial arts. Jack Black as Po, an energetic, yet accident prone, giant panda and die hard fan of kung fu, who finds himself chosen as the legendary Dragon Warrior by Master Oogway, to everyones surprise. Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, the elderly and stern red panda kung fu master to the Furious Five and unwillingly to Po, who is troubled over mistakes in the past. He is Tai Lungs and Tigress adoptive father and master. Randall Duk Kim as Grand Master Oogway, Shifus mentor and the wise leader of the Jade Palace. He is an ancient Galpagos tortoise. Ian Mc. Shane as Tai Lung, a muscular snow leopard who, after rampaging through the Valley of Peace for being denied the Dragon Scroll by Oogway, was sent to Chorh Gom Prison for twenty years, after which he escaped and returned for revenge. He is Shifus adoptive son and former student. Angelina Jolie as Master Tigress, the South China tiger leader of the Furious Five, who is the most hostile to Po when hes chosen as the Dragon Warrior, but eventually accepts him when he defeats Tai Lung. She is Shifus adoptive daughter and ill tempered student. Lucy Liu as Master Viper, a green tree viper and member of the Furious Five she is kind and the most good natured to Po when he is chosen as the Dragon Warrior. Jackie Chan as Master Monkey, a golden snub nosed monkey and member of the Furious Five he has an easygoing attitude and is adept with a staff. Seth Rogen as Master Mantis, a Chinese mantis and member of the Furious Five he is extremely strong for his size and is also experienced in acupuncture. David Cross as Master Crane, a red crowned crane and another member of the Furious Five he is pragmatic and has a dry sense of humor. James Hong as Mr.