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The Chameleon is the main antagonist of DreamWorks' 47th full-length animated film Kung Fu Panda 4, the fourth installment of the Kung Fu Panda franchise. She is a lizard sorceress who rules over Juniper City and is determined to become the greatest villain, proving her worth to those who have underestimated her.
She sets her sights on obtaining the Staff of Wisdom, which has the power to bring back anyone from the Spirit World. By absorbing the powers of Po's previous adversaries, she believes she will finally have the strength to defeat Po.
She is voiced by Viola Davis, who also played Amanda Waller in the DC Extended Universe and Dr. Gaul in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.
History[]
Past[]
The Chameleon's early days were characterized by humble beginnings, as she aspired to make a significant impact by mastering the art of kung fu. However, her dreams were shattered when she faced rejection from every training hall due to her small stature and perceived insignificance. Undeterred by these setbacks, she refused to let others dictate her destiny and instead became a sorceress, aligning herself with the very essence of her aspirations. Nevertheless, she continued to long for the knowledge of kung fu, unable to truly possess it even when assuming the forms of those who excelled in it. She comprehended that while the physical body executes the art, its true essence lies within the spirit, Eventually, the Chameleon gained control over Juniper City, a place that was previously plagued by crime families. As a result, these criminals were compelled to pay tribute to her on a monthly basis. One fateful day, Zhen attempted to steal from the Chameleon, but to her surprise, the Chameleon caught her in the act. Recognizing Zhen's fearlessness and potential, the Chameleon saw a reflection of herself in the young fox. Without hesitation, she took Zhen under her wing and raised her as her apprentice. Years passed, and the Chameleon decided to assign Zhen with a crucial mission - stealing the Staff of Wisdom from Po. This task would allow the Chameleon to open a gateway to the Spirit Realm and steal all the kung fu of every villain.
Kung Fu Panda 4[]
Disguised as one of the heads of Juniper City's crime families, the Chameleon gathered them all together. However, one of the heads couldn't resist mocking her, suggesting that they should take her down. Unfazed, the Chameleon confidently mentions her sorcery, before finally revealing her true identity, leaving the four in shock and horror. Taken aback by her unexpected reveal, the heads quickly apologize for their earlier remarks. The Chameleon extends her reassurance to them, advising them not to fret over the matter. She proceeds to explain how thieves thrive on exploiting the vulnerable citizens of the city, which is why she feels no remorse when they find themselves in dire situations, especially if she is the one responsible for it. Intrigued by her intentions now that she holds control over Juniper City, the heads of the crime families inquire about her plans. With a cunning smile, the Chameleon drops a subtle hint that she is on the verge of achieving her goal by mentioning the imminent Blood Moon, which is only two nights away. To assert her dominance, she increases the monthly tribute they must pay to a staggering 60%. However, one of them objects to this demand. Offended by their defiance, the Chameleon ominously forgives them for their insults and treachery, but makes it explicitly clear that she will never forget. In a display of her power, she transforms into Master Elephant, warning them that if they believe she is pushing boundaries now, they have no idea just how far she can truly go. As the leaders depart in fear, the Chameleon expects their tributes to be delivered by dawn.
When Po and Zhen infiltrated the Chameleon's palace, Po found himself trapped in one of the Chameleon's cages. Zhen, however, betrayed Po by giving the Staff of Wisdom to the Chameleon, who then revealed her true allegiance. The Chameleon shared her backstory with Po and unveiled her sinister plan to steal the kung fu powers of all the master villains. Desperate to escape, Po resorted to digging a hole in the ground, much to the Chameleon's annoyance. While attempting to flee, the Chameleon cunningly disguised herself as a remorseful Zhen and pushed Po off, seemingly causing his demise. Zhen was horrified by the outcome, believing that there could have been an alternative solution, but the Chameleon coldly reminded her of her second and third rules: someone always gets hurt, and nobody cares about your emotions.
As the Chameleon prepared to open the gateway to the Spirit Realm, she began to question Zhen's friendship with Po. According to the Chameleon, Po was merely using Zhen. In order to protect both of them, the Chameleon advised Zhen to remain ruthless and unsentimental. Originally planning to open the gateway when the Blood Moon was fully risen for a dramatic effect, the Chameleon decided to open it sooner due to the slow progress of the moon. She started by bringing back Tai Lung, claiming to be a fan of his. Revealing that she had stolen the Staff of Wisdom from Po, she demanded to know Tai Lung's kung fu skills. However, Tai Lung refused to comply. The Chameleon's army then attacked Tai Lung, but he managed to defeat them. Taking advantage of the situation, the Chameleon stole Tai Lung's kung fu, and used his own nerve attack to trap him in a cage. Delighted with her success, the Chameleon proceeded to bring back all the other villains, stealing their powers and imprisoning them in cages. After the Chameleon finished, Po showed up. The Chameleon doubted if Po could really die. Po insisted on getting the staff back. The Chameleon returned the staff to him. She compared herself to Po, mentioning only one of them would prevail in the end. Po attempted to persuade the Chameleon to change her ways. In retaliation, the Chameleon morphed into Lord Shen and attacked Po. She continued to transform into different villains while fighting Po. The Chameleon gained the upper hand, claiming to be practically every adversary Po had faced. Suddenly, Zhen intervened, crushing the Chameleon with one of her own cages. Realizing it was two against one, the Chameleon transformed into a mix of various villains: Master Cobra, Master Osprey, Master Scorpion, Master Wolf, Kai, and Shen. She pursued them, capturing Zhen. Po caught up, grabbing the Chameleon by the horns and causing her to fall. Recovering, the Chameleon changed into Po.
The Chameleon and Po locked in a fierce and intense battle, each determined to come out victorious. The Chameleon proved to be a formidable opponent, using her agile tongue to snatch Po and forcefully slam him into the palace walls, showing no mercy. The Chameleon set damaged cages ablaze and used them to ensnare Po, who pretended to be trapped and helpless. It was then that Po called upon Zhen, urging her to intervene and put an end to the Chameleon. The Chameleon, now in her normal form, turned her attention towards Zhen, questioning her audacity to betray her for Po. Zhen, however, reminded the Chameleon of her own first rule - trust no one. Undeterred, the Chameleon boasted that Zhen could never defeat her, as she knew all her moves. With the Staff of Wisdom in her hands, Zhen summoned a majestic dragon, sending the Chameleon crashing into the wall. Zhen then reminded the Chameleon of her second rule - someone always gets hurt. While Po was momentarily occupied, the Chameleon seized the opportunity to launch a final, cunning attack. Transforming into various forms, she aimed to strike a fatal blow against Po. However, just as the Chameleon was about to strike, Po managed to counter her assault with the Staff of Wisdom, ultimately defeating her. However, Po's triumph led to the release of all his adversaries from their captivity as they regained their kung fu.
After the villains were set free, Tai Lung emerged as their representative and openly praised Po, acknowledging that Po had surpassed his initial expectations and had proven himself to be the Dragon Warrior. Tai Lung then made a request to Po, urging him to create a portal to the Spirit Realm so that all the villains could return to their rightful place. As Po began to recreate the portal, Tai Lung seized the opportunity to take the Chameleon with him, intending to make her face the consequences of her actions in the Spirit Realm. Desperate, the Chameleon turned to Zhen, hoping that she would lend a helping hand. However, Zhen reminded the Chameleon of the third rule, emphasizing that nobody cared about her feelings. The Chameleon was ultimately taken into the Spirit Realm, her screams of anger resonating through the air.