bonniegrrl | Kung Fu Panda Director Talks Hero's Journey

I chat with Kung Fu Panda director Mark Osborne about a martial arts obsessed panda named Po who, much like Luke Skywalker, goes through his own heart-felt hero's journey. Osborne talks about his appreciation for the Star Wars saga and explains how it still continues to influence him as a filmmaker.

Excerpt:
So who would win in a fight: Yoda or Shifu?
You're really putting me on the spot. I love both equally. I think the rules of the Star Wars universe allow Yoda to be a little more powerful than Shifu. If it was a level playing ground, Yoda would win. But if Yoda were in our Kung Fu Panda world then it would be pretty fair. Don't make me answer that! (laughs)

Who is a better teacher: Yoda or Shifu?
Yoda is more enlightened, where we're trying to get Shifu to the point of being enlightened. It's more about Shifu becoming a better teacher through struggling with Po. It's a growth story for him as well.

But is Po as whiny as Luke?
That is a good point. There is a connection between Empire and Kung Fu Panda. If you do the math on how long it takes Luke to become a Jedi on Dagobah it's the same irrational time it takes Po to become a Kung Fu Warrior when he goes off to the mountains. There's the same movie cheat we can get away with.

Like a Road House training-for-the-big-fight montage?
I love Road House! (laughs)

Read the full interview here:
Kung Fu Panda Director Talks Hero's Journey