Exclusive Sneak Peek: Jack Black & Antonio Banderas Preview Dreamworks Film
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- Last Updated: Tuesday, 12 November 2013 06:17
- Written by Lupe Haas
Antonio Banderas was first to present footage from Puss In Boot, his first film dedicated to the lovable swatch-buckling cat. Antonio along with Dreamworks' Jeffrey Katzenberg introduced a ten-minute scene from Puss In Boot featuring another spicy cat voiced by Banderas' Desperado co-star Salma Hayek. Salma Hayek's character is certainly a match for Puss and held her own well in the hilarious extended clip. From the short preview, Puss In Boots carries on the irreverence and humor that made the Shrek movies so loved.
Mexican director Guillermo Del Toro (Hellboy, Pan's Labrynth) made an appearance at the Dreamworks event. He served as executive producer on Puss In Boots. Antonio Banderas credited the Hellboy helmer with adding some Latino touches to the story. Guillermo explained how he came onto the project after approaching Jeffrey Katzenberg. The live-action director wanted to learn more about animation for his re-make of stop-motion Pinocchio, his first animated feature project. The Dreamworks honcho not only obliged to show the director the ropes but offered Del Toro a chance to set up shop at the Dreamworks Studios and consult on Kung Fu Panda 2 and executive produce Puss In Boots.
After Puss In Boots, it was Jack Black's turn to preview nearly half the film for Kung Fu Panda 2. While Angelina Jolie, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu and David Cross also reprise their roles as Po's martial arts team, some familiar and interesting names join the sequel. Martial arts legend, Jean-Claude Van Damme joins the cast as Master Croc, Alias' Victor Garber as Master Thundering Rhino, Michelle Yeoh as The Viper and one of the most exciting additions to the cast -- Gary Oldman as the villainous white peacock, Lord Shen.
Jack Black started by comparing his life with that of his on-screen persona -- Po. “In many ways I have tried to model my life after Po”, explains Jack Black, patting his Panda-shaped physique. “I’ve learned a lot of Kung Fu in my downtime, because I’ve learned, from the greats like Stallone and Jackie Chan, that when you portray a kick-ass Kung Fu master in the films, then other tough dudes out there in the world want to prove their mettle against you. And I’ve been approached many times by bullies that want to fight me because then they can go home and tell their buddies, hey man, I kicked the Kung Fu Panda’s ass.” After an impressive demonstration of all his best Kung Fu moves, Jack Black finishes with a flourish, “You don’t want to mess with me!”
Jack Black also let us in on some key plots for Kung Fu Panda 2. The sequel delves into Po’s roots and how he came to have a goose for a father. That's certainly a question we want answered and Jack promises it will satisfy. “We are dealing a lot with his origins and who his real parents are.” Jack Black adds, “It will be powerful, emotional and pack a wallop.”
After watching a good portion of the film in varying states of readiness, Kung Fu Panda 2 has definitely stepped up the martial arts with the addition of ninjas. Gary Oldman, as always, proves a great addition to the cast as the animated villain Lord Shin. A short preview of the epic battle scene between Oldman's Lord Shin and Po's promises to be grand. In addition to stepping up the action in Kung Fu Panda 2, the humor plays up to adults which should have both children and grown-ups enjoying Po and his adventures for a second time. Jack Black agrees, “It is the most awesome movie of all time.”
Kung Fu Panda 2 is scheduled for release on May 26th and Puss In Boots is scheduled for November 4, 2011.
Melanie Wilson
Visit her blog at lamelbox.blogspot.com
