Angelina Jolie and Jack Black reunite for Kung Fu Panda 2, which is released in cinemas on Friday, June 10. The two Hollywood stars get together to talk about the animation, parenting and why Black's intimidated by his co-star.

By Susan Griffin.

It's difficult not to stare at Jack Black and Angelina Jolie because it's hard to imagine a more discordant pair.

Jolie, a regular on 'most beautiful' lists who shines on screen in femme fatale roles, is the epitome of elegance in a cream shift dress and vertiginous nude heels. Her long, glossy hair is loose; her make-up's understated and the famous pillow-pout breaks into a smile that radiates warmth.

The cause of her mirth is Black, the rotund, impish actor and musician who came to prominence in the hit comedy School Of Rock.

Dressed in jeans and a black slogan T-shirt, he's demonstrating "inward breathing" by singing The Beatles' Blackbird at the top of his voice.

They both crack up and it's clear why their partnership translated into box office gold in 2008's Kung Fu Panda, which earned 633 million dollars worldwide.

The tale of a lazy, daydreaming panda called Po (Black) who learns the art of kung fu alongside his idols the Furious Five (including Jolie's Tigress), the film also earned an Oscar nod for Best Animated Feature Film.

Three years on, Black, Jolie and the rest of the cast, including Dustin Hoffman as Master Shifu, have lent their voices once again for the much anticipated sequel, Kung Fu Panda 2, this time in 3D.

"It was like putting on a nice comfortable pair of shoes," oozes 41-year-old Black.

"Yeah, it was more fun the second time around having all got to know each other," nods Jolie, 35. "Our characters already had history, so it was fun to jump in and immediately start to play."

As well as witnessing Po tackle a formidable villain peacock voiced by Gary Oldman, the audience can expect the answer to one of life's great mysteries: Why is Po's dad a goose?

Even the most casual of observers must have noted Mr Ping, a noodle-making goose (James Hong), can't be Po's biological father.

"Po's getting flashbacks of his childhood and comes to realise he's actually adopted," explains Black, who's dad to two sons, Sammy 4, and Thomas, 3, with wife Tanya Haden.

"It was like a funny joke in the first one, the elephant in the room. Obviously he was adopted but there was no talk of it, so in addition to this being a hero's journey to save the day, it's also a journey of self-discovery."

For Jolie, who has three adopted children; Maddox, 9, Pax, 7, and Zahara, 6, as well as three biological children with partner Brad Pitt, Shiloh, 5, and two-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne, the film's subject matter had particular resonance.

"I wondered if they'd ask me questions about it, but because adoption, birth mothers and orphanage are happy words [in our house,] they're very used to these discussions. They just felt proud that they were a little more like Po, so it was lovely."

The kids were actually used as a sounding board for the film.

"As they're aged from two to 9, we figured it was a good group to gauge whether the film was working and we brought them in," says Jolie. "I did it for them in so many ways and was excited for them to see it."

Like the first film, the sequel is hugely influenced by Hong Kong action movies and Po's newest adventures reflect a deeper immersion into the world of kung fu.

Black says the franchise offered him the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of martial arts.

"I did some training in kung fu for both films. It wasn't just for research purposes; it was also to kind of get in shape." He pauses for dramatic effect. "What really drew me is the combination of exercise and self-defence, along with the third, sort of unseen, component, a spiritual one.

"When you're really practising kung fu, living it and feeling it, there's a meditative quality that seeps in. It feels almost religious. It's an art form, really.

Jolie reveals her sons attend martial arts classes too.

"Boys are boys and naturally have a certain kind of energy. It's been wonderful to get them focused on martial arts and teach them about discipline, respect and how to control their own bodies," she says.

"I think we're all searching for peace, it's part of the human journey. We all have moments when we lose it and look for it again, but it's important to know the people you love are safe and healthy."

Black agrees: "I find inner peace in my family; the simple things bring me back home, to a peaceful place in my mind," he says.

As with the first movie, it's Po who remains the emotional crux of the story.

"For a male character, he's sensitive, so it seems a very nice balance that Tigress is the harder one who learns to be more emotional. Can I say that?" Jolie laughs, looking over to Black who's feigning shock.

"We're yin and yang?"

From Lara Croft in Tomb Raider to Evelyn Salt in Salt, Jolie's synonymous with playing powerful females in action films but off screen, she describes herself as "a mom who's changing diapers and colouring all night long, so I'm sure I'm very, very soft".

"I've always been drawn to strong characters and I admire strong women emotionally and physically - people who I feel are fighting for something," she says. "I've been very lucky that I came to my career at a time when women are being allowed [to play] these roles."

And the Kung Fu Panda franchise is no different.

"Tigress is one of the best characters I've played. First and foremost she's a fighter - and she's out to get the bad guy. She doesn't have the ability to access her softer side and emotions - maybe it's a measure of self-protection - and I think that's why some people identify with her."

Whether Tigress, Po and the rest of the crew return again is ultimately for the audience to decide, says Black: "As long as people love it and hunger for more Kung Fu Panda, there will be more", he grins.

Jolie, for one, is hopeful.

"I hope we can continue. The nice thing about this story is we're growing up with Po and learning about different aspects of human nature."

Extra time - Who are the furious five?

:: Angelina Jolie is Tigress: "She comes from an orphanage and grows up not knowing her own strength. The others call her hardcore but she learns to be nicer."

:: Jackie Chan is the jovial Monkey: "We're both good at martial arts and use joking as a screen, so while our opponents are laughing, we beat them."

:: Seth Rogan is the tiny but mighty Mantis: "In voice acting you don't have to deal with other actors. You're the star of the show, no matter how small your part is."

:: Lucy Liu is the seductive Viper: "A lot of kids didn't really associate me with the voice but once they figured it out, suddenly I was like the President of the United States."

:: David Cross is the wry Crane: "Crane is awesome, although I'd think he'd benefit from some great tattoos."

:: Kung Fu Panda 2 is released in cinemas on Friday, June 10.