'Kung Fu Panda 3' Trailer Will Arrive Thursday

The first official trailer for “Kung Fu Panda 3” will be released Thursday, DreamWorks Animation announced via Twitter. In the tweet, the company shared a poster from the film, featuring Po in what appears to be a kung fu pose. The text on the poster reads, “Po has a message from the universe.”

The tweet has come after the Chinese trailer (now removed) of “Kung Fu Panda 3” leaked online. According to Cinema Blend, it offered a first look at the villain Kai -- with Po, Tigress, Monkey, Mantis, Viper and Crane going against him.

Official still photos via USA Today have also been released. They show Po having fun with other pandas. According to an official synopsis, Po will discover a new panda village and will train the fellow pandas to fight against Kai, who has supernatural powers.

The complete synopsis of the film reads: “In 2016, one of the most successful animated franchises in the world returns with its biggest comedy adventure yet, KUNG FU PANDA 3. When Po’s long-lost panda father suddenly reappears, the reunited duo travels to a secret panda paradise to meet scores of hilarious new panda characters. But when the supernatural villain Kai begins to sweep across China defeating all the kung fu masters, Po must do the impossible -- learn to train a village full of his fun-loving, clumsy brethren to become the ultimate band of Kung Fu Pandas.”

“Kung Fu Panda 3” is the sequel to the 2011 blockbuster “Kung Fu Panda 2.” It will feature a series of new characters, including Po’s long-lost father Li and Po’s rumored love interest, the ribbon dancer Mei Mei. Mei Mei will reportedly marry Po, and the villain Kai will be shown stealing powers of the defeated kung fu masters. It has yet to be revealed who will voice Kai.

Jennifer Yuh Nelson and Alessandro Carloni have directed the film from the screenplay by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger. Mellissa Cobb is the producer and Hans Zimmer has supplied the music. The film features the voices of Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Lucy Liu, Seth Rogen, Jackie Chan, David Cross, James Hong, Randall Duk Kim, Rebel Wilson, Bryan Cranston and J.K. Simmons.

The film will hit theaters Jan. 29, 2016.