At the cinema release of “Kung Fu Panda 4”, Manu Payet talks about the dubbing of the protagonist Po in all the films in the series. Interview.
The Dragon Warrior returns to cinemas. Young and old can discover something in the theater Kung Fu Panda 4, new part of the Dreamworks animated film saga, this Wednesday, March 27, 2024. In this new episode, the panda Po takes on his life as a kung fu master. But fate has decided otherwise, because the warrior is appointed spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace and must therefore find his worthy successor. But the transfer and the change are absolutely not to his liking…
We met before the film came out Manu Payetwhich doubles the hero of Kung Fu Panda since 2008. Although the actor was afraid of “doing too many films,” he sees his work as a source of pride and does not hesitate to share the dubbing secrets of this new role. Below you will find our interview with the French actor.
“Kung Fu Panda 4: Interview with Manu PAYET”
You double Po Kung Fu Panda For the fourth time, what do you like about the idea of reprising this character?
Manu Payet : I like everything. Above all, the work of telling the story in French to the children of France fills me with great pride. I consider it a mission to create the best possible French version. I want it to do for children what the best French versions did for me in my childhood.
And how do we make the best possible French version?
By being as sincere as possible. Even a little naive. By being Po! And my pride, almost my loyalty, my loyalty to this character and his adventures was rewarded because the movie is great, it’s great, I was a little afraid deep down that it was too much. And finally… fucking tough, people!
This film is about change, the fear of change and accepting change. Is that something that appeals to you?
Naturally ! Every time I double a Kung Fu Panda, there is a message inside that is just for me. Sometimes I feel like they expect me to have to hear it in order to make the film. It is great ! My daughter is small and it’s about transference, about letting go, “whatever, just leave it”. And that is a treasure. Once you begin to feel this in a way that allows you to understand a little about what it is and the good it can do, and to let go and forgive yourself more, say to yourself, “What am I like without it got along?” see you then.”
Even as adults, we learn from animated films…
Absolutely, absolutely. Afterwards there are some who not only have to see it, but also do it so that it fits (laughs).
How is the French dubbing going? Do you rely on the work of? Jack Black (which doubles Po in VO) or are there differences?
There’s an acting difference in how to make delirium truly French. Even in nonsense, there may be more irony or cynicism among us… Sometimes we stopped the film because we realized it wasn’t clear, but we have the same time for it. Say. You are guided by someone whose job it is to synchronize, here Barbara Tissier, who tells you: “Be careful, be quiet, be careful, we misunderstood each other, take your time…” You must allow it subtle. We still managed to bring everything with us for the others. I don’t think it has to be pretty good in the original version. We received a prize for dubbing the first part. We managed to keep all the humor, jokes and character development in the French style. And it doesn’t look cheap.
Parallel to the publication of Kung Fu Panda 4, You’re on tour for your one-man show “Emmanuel 2,” in which you tell the story of your life as a “Boomer Dad”: Is dubbing a panda doing kung fu your way of keeping calm? ?
(Laughs) Of course! I often say this: In our profession it is important to preserve the part of our childhood. To play you have to keep a part of your childhood. That is our task! If you don’t believe in it at all, if you lose your childlike soul, because they are children who believe that Po really exists, up to a certain age of course. If you as an actor don’t believe in it at all, how are you supposed to convey a story to someone? So to believe you have to remain a child.
