Angelina Jolie and Jack Black reunite for Kung Fu Panda 2, which is released in cinemas on Friday, June 10. The two Hollywood stars speak to Susan Griffin about the animation, parenting and a journey of self-discovery.

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 is 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 is clear why their partnership translated into box office gold in 2008's Kung Fu Panda, which earned $633 million 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 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," adds 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 is dad to two sons, Sammy, four, and Thomas, three, with wife Tanya Haden.

"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, nine, Pax, seven, and Zahara, six, as well as three biological children with partner Brad Pitt, Shiloh, five, 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."

Who are the famous 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."