2024-03-26 10:18:00
Manu Payet does not physically resemble Kung Fu Panda but he has lent him his voice since 2008 and the first part of the adventures of this big teddy bear. Eight years after the third part, Po is back for Kung Fu Panda 4 and a new challenge. He must now find someone to succeed him before he becomes a respectable spiritual leader. And it’s not a “fortune cookie” because an evil praying mantis is plaguing the region.
“I followed the evolution of the character with my voice,” Manu Payet confides to 20 Minutes. At the start, he was young and clumsy but he became more confident and confident as he got older, even if he kept a childish side. » In the original version, Po is voiced by the imposing Jack Black, from whom the Dreamworks animators took inspiration for Po’s gestures. “I focus on what he does, but I have the possibility of bringing my touch,” specifies Manu Payet.
Physical work
However, we should not imagine that Manu Payet’s work is easy. “It’s physical to dub the action scenes,” he explains. You have to find your breath for the screams he makes during the stunts. » The actor changed his voice throughout the episodes of the saga in order to best match the expressions of the panda and Pierre Arditi did the same for Sifu, the latter’s mentor. “Meeting Pierre has been a great joy for me over the years,” admits Manu Payet. He encouraged me when I had questions about my acting abilities. » Pierre Arditi has (almost) become Manu Payet’s Sifu in real life.
Don’t break the magic
“I like the idea that we find the heroes as the saga progresses,” insists Manu Payet. We want to talk to Po as if he were a friend and ask him how he is after eight years of absence. » The Panda is doing well and so is Manu Payet. He declares himself ready to give voice again if a fifth opus is started. A fan of the panda, he is always delighted when spectators come to talk to him about Po “When it comes to young children, I just tell them that I know how to imitate him so as not to break the magic,” he admits. And to take up the voice of the panda to make us joyfully return to childhood, we are so happy to hear it…
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