The director of “Kung Fu Panda 2,” Jennifer Yuh Nelson, had three different titles on first “Kung Fu Panda” – Head of Story, Actions Sequences Supervisor and Dream Sequence Director. And just as Po followed his path to becoming the Dragon Warrior, Nelson had her own journey.

Says director Jennifer Yuh Nelson, “I grew up with Hong Kong action movies, and I brought that sensibility as Head of Story on ‘Kung Fu Panda.’ I was pretty gung ho for all of us to be in that mindset, and I continued that push on this film. I think one of the keys is that we’re all conversant in that vernacular now. And in working on ‘Kung Fu Panda 2,’ that shared experience has come with us, and it informs the story we are telling and the manner in which it is told.

Our goal was to take ‘Kung Fu Panda’ and Po to the next level.” Just as Po has become a better warrior, his newest adventure reflects his deeper immersion into the world of kung fu. Per Nelson: “This film follows more in the tradition of martial arts movies—there are often questions that arise about a newly anointed hero’s past and there are those who seek to challenge his authority.

“Since the release of ‘Kung Fu Panda’, there has been one burning question that people are desperate to answer. The question that defies “Kung Fu Panda 2” Production Information explanation is: Why is Po’s dad a goose? For Po, the Dragon Warrior, it was logical for him to finally realize his father is not his biological father and to seek his origin. While doing so, he learns his past is tied to Lord Shen. The peacock’s challenge is not random, it is the working of fate—something that also figures prominently in martial arts films. And it is only when he learns the truth about who he is that Po is able to confront Shen and his army.”

“In the first film,” continues Nelson, “we learned that heroes come in all shapes and sizes as Po fulfilled his destiny and became the Dragon Warrior. In the sequel, we learn that fate leads us to our destiny – bringing people into our lives that protect us and those that challenge us…allowing us to realize our full potential.”

director Jennifer Yuh Nelson talks Kung Fu Panda 2

More about Jennifer Yuh Nelson

Jennifer Yuh Nelson has lent her talents to four of DreamWorks Animation’s motion pictures: 2008’s Kung Fu Panda (as head of story), 2005’s Madagascar (as story artist), 2003’s Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas (as head of story) and 2002’s Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron (also as story artist). Prior to joining DreamWorks, Nelson worked at HBO Animation, developing various projects and short series. She has worn many hats, serving as director, story artist and character designer for HBO’s animated series Spawn, which won an Emmy Award in 1999 for Outstanding Animated Program. Nelson’s career in animation has spanned several countries, including Korea and Japan, where she oversaw animation for HBO. Nelson has also worked in Sydney, Australia, serving as a story artist and illustrator for the live-action feature Dark City for Mystery Clock Productions. Nelson attended California State University, Long Beach where she received a BFA in Illustration. Nelson has also published several independent comic books.

In “Kung Fu Panda 2” Po (JACK BLACK) is now living his dream as The Dragon Warrior, protecting the Valley of Peace alongside his friends and fellow kung fu masters, The Furious Five: Tigress (ANGELINA JOLIE); Monkey (JACKIE CHAN); Mantis (SETH ROGEN); Viper (LUCY LIU); and Crane (DAVID CROSS). Also returning is DUSTIN HOFFMAN as the kung fu guru and Po’s mentor, Master Shifu, and JAMES HONG as Mr. Ping, Po’s father and owner of the most popular noodle shop in the village.

Reprising his role as Kung Fu Panda’s Mr. Ping, James Hong recently won the Annie Award for his voice performance in “Kung Fu Panda Holiday.” As Po’s father, the goose Mr. Ping, James Hong—the veteran character actor with more than 60 years’ worth of performances—found the first film “awesome” without any thought of biology or parentage. He comments, “I was flabbergasted by the whole thing, the process, the way it was put together. I just could not believe what I was seeing, in the sense that it was amazing to finally ‘see’ my voice coming out of Ping. I think I saw it at the premiere for the first time, and seeing my voice married together with the character so well, I didn’t know if I was Mr. Ping or Mr. Ping was me. Although I think he might even be a deeper character than I am. He has many facets. I would say, to describe him, he’s a single parent—sort of a Jewish mother and a Chinese father combined, if you can imagine that!”

James Hong talks Kung Fu Panda 2

Returning as the seductive fighter Viper, Lucy Liu couldn’t have been happier that the project was heading into a second chapter. Liu explains, “My experience with the first one was incredible. And then to find out that they wanted to do it again was even more exciting—mostly based on the reaction of the kids that I know that loved the first one. When they saw the movie, a lot of them didn’t know that I was playing Viper, because some are younger and they don’t really associate me with my voice. But once they got that concept, and figured out it was me, suddenly, I was like the President of the United States! All of a sudden, I became this VIP, and they immediately started haranguing me about a sequel, way before one was announced.”

Adulation aside, the quality of the art was of key importance to Liu: “In 3D this time, there’s so much that will be amazing in the animation—the kung fu fighting, the movement, the landscape of China, the architecture of Shen’s city. To see it really coming towards you; that added dimension really just reinforces the beauty of the animation, and the composition of the picture.”

Lucy Liu talks Kung Fu Panda 2

For Jackie Chan’s involvement, silliness was a requirement most days. The character’s joking manner was perfectly served by Chan’s jovial work attitude—it could almost be mistaken for a case of type casting. Chan says, “It’s so much fun playing Monkey that it doesn’t even feel like a job. We’re very much alike—we’re good at martial arts, and we can use joking as a screen, to hide the fact that before our opponents know it, while they’re laughing, we’ve beaten them. But then a lot of times, I just joke for fun.”

Additional new cast members include MICHELLE YEOH as the Soothsayer in service to Lord Shen, whose visions of the future play a key role in the destiny to come; DANNY MCBRIDE as Shen’s minion, the Wolf Boss; and DENNIS HAYSBERT as Master Storming Ox. The cast also features action superstar JEAN-CLAUDE VAN DAMME as Master Croc and VICTOR GARBER as Master Thundering Rhino.

With the return of the Furious Five, Po’s new life of awesomeness is threatened by the emergence of a formidable villain, Lord Shen (GARY OLDMAN), who plans to use a secret, unstoppable weapon to conquer China and destroy kung fu. Po must look to his past and uncover the secrets of his mysterious origins—only then will he be able to unlock the strength he needs to succeed.

Kung Fu Panda 2 trailer