Why Kate Hudson Replaced Rebel Wilson as Mei Mei in Kung Fu Panda 3

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In January 2016, Kate Hudson made a rare public appearance with her children at the world premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 3” held at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles.

She voices Mei Mei in the computer-animated wuxia comedy film.

Kate Hudson wears her blonde hair down and curled at the premiere of "Kung Fu Panda 3"Kate Hudson wears her blonde hair down and curled at the premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 3” held on January 16, 2016, at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, California (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)

While initially cast to voice the passionate ribbon dancer Mei Mei in Kung Fu Panda 3, Rebel Wilson was reportedly dumped from the film and replaced by Kate Hudson.

The Bridesmaids star told The Guardian she was removed from the role of Jack Black’s panda love interest after a series of “malicious” magazine articles.

She added that the head of DreamWorks fired her in person because she had become “too divisive” for a family movie.

Kate Hudson replaced Rebel Wilson as Mei Mei in Kung Fu Panda 3Kate Hudson replaced Rebel Wilson as Mei Mei in Kung Fu Panda 3 (Credit: DreamWorks Animation)

Kate Hudson — usually one to keep her kids out of the spotlight — surprised us by hitting the red carpet with her two sons, Bingham and Ryder.

Kate Hudson poses with her sons Ryder, 12, and Bingham, 4, at the premiere of "Kung Fu Panda 3"Kate Hudson poses with her sons Ryder, 12, and Bingham, 4, at the premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 3” (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)

Just a few weeks earlier, the Almost Famous actress told E! News that her kids were super excited about her new movie.

“It was so last minute for me and they were like, ‘do you want to come do it?’” she said. “And I was like, ‘yes.’ And it was all a bit of a whirlwind.”

Kate Hudson poses with her son Ryder on the red carpet of the premiere of "Kung Fu Panda 3"Kate Hudson poses with her son Ryder on the red carpet of the premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 3” (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)

The Fabletics founder replaced Rebel Wilson as the voice for one of the new characters, Mei Mei, in the 3D animated movie, which premiered on January 16, 2016, in Los Angeles.

Kate Hudson wears a floaty chiffon dress from Monique Lhuillier on the red carpetKate Hudson wears a floaty chiffon dress from Monique Lhuillier on the red carpet (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)

Kate Hudson kept things a little demure for the family-oriented movie. She donned a floral floaty chiffon dress with a keyhole cutout from Monique Lhuillier’s Pre-Fall 2016 collection.

Goldie Jeanne Hawn’s daughter styled the long-sleeved floor-sweeping dress with only a few pieces of jewelry, including a couple of Jennifer Meyer rings.

Kate Hudson shows off the keyhole detailing on her Monique Lhuillier gownKate Hudson shows off the keyhole detailing on her Monique Lhuillier gown (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)

To complete the look, the “Raising Helen” star wore her blonde locks in short layered, tousled waves and sported minimal makeup with glittery eyeshadow and bold pink lipstick.

Kate Hudson covers up on the red carpet in a long-sleeved Monique Lhuillier gownKate Hudson covers up on the red carpet in a long-sleeved Monique Lhuillier gown (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)

Kate finishes her look with a pair of Jimmy Choo pumps. Her five-inch heels are made of mirrored metallic leather and feature double platforms and peep toes.

We can’t find these pumps online, but you can check out some new styles at Farfetch and Nordstrom.

Kate Hudson's feet in metallic Jimmy Choo platform pumpsKate Hudson’s feet in metallic Jimmy Choo platform pumps (Credit: Michael Wright / Tony Forte / FayesVision / WENN)