Check out new cast members Michelle Yeoh, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Dennis Haysbert, Gary Oldman and more in new images from Kung Fu Panda 2

From DreamWorks Animation—the studio behind How to Train Your Dragon, Shrek, and the Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated Kung Fu Panda—comes the latest adventures of one of the most unlikely heroes ever to transition from noodle shop employee to kung fu master.

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.

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.

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.

Kung Fu Panda 2 – which hits theaters on May 26th – is directed by Jennifer Yuh Nelson, and produced by Melissa Cobb. The co-producers are Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger and Suzanne Buirgy. It is written by Jonathan Aibel and Glenn Berger, with music is by Hans Zimmer and John Powell.

Check out a batch of fresh images from Kung Fu Panda 2 below.

Photos courtesy of DreamWorks Animation
Kung Fu Panda 2 ™ & © 2010 DreamWorks Animation LLC. All Rights Reserved