Changes in the production while filming a movie are inevitable, and replacing cast members to either improve the overall film or to simply assume the vacated role is sometimes necessary. This case is true to the upcoming flick "Kung Fu Panda 3."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the "Almost Famous"star Kate Hudson is replacing the "Pitch Perfect" star Rebel Wilson in "Kung Fu Panda 3" as Mei Mei, the crazy ribbon-dancing panda and the first female panda lead who is romantically obsessed with the lead character Po.
Insiders revealed that the production schedule was extended which conflicts Wilson's schedule. As a result, Wilson, who was previously set to voice Mei Mei finds herself withdrawing from the project which turns to be an opportunity for the 36-year-old Hudson.
ScreenCrush suggests that the reason might not be accurate, perhaps Wilson's voice wasn't just working for Mei Meit but regardless of the actual reason, Hudson confirmed the report in an Instagram post where she posted a photo of an animated Mei Mei beside a woman in costume covering her face with a fan.
She captioned the said photo with, "Who's that sassy Panda? It's Mei Mei who's me me in Kung Fu Panda Three Three! #KungFuPanda3 #MeiMei #WaitTillYouSeeHerRibbonDance #MyKidsAreSoExcited."
The Hollywood Reporter suggests that with Hudson taking up the voice for Mei Mei, previously completed scene for the said character will be re-animated. This move aims to reflect Hudson's take on the character. Perhaps, to make Mei Mei's voice throughout the animated film consistent as well.
According to the reports Jack Black, who voiced Po, is set to reprise his role in DWA's hit franchise along with Angelina Jolie, Seth Rogen, Dusting Hoffman, David Cross, Lucy Liu and Jackie Chan. Joining the cast as new additions are J.K. Simmons and Bryan Cranston.
Simmons will be playing Kai, the antagonist bull, who is the first supernatural villain in the "Kung Fu Panda" series. On the other hand, Cranston will be playing Li Shan, the biological dad of Po.
The new storyline features Po's reunion with his long-lost father and his discovery of a long-lost panda paradise. Unfortunately, his new found happiness was short lived after the supernatural villain Kai made his entrance in the scene, threatening Po's environment as he steals the power of the defeated kung fu masters. In order to fight back, Po has to train a village of clumsy and fun-loving bears to learn the skills of martial arts.
"Kung Fu Panda 3" is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessadro Carloni. The film will be released in the big screen on Jan. 29, 2016.
