Why big-name actors love doing animated movies, according to Oscar winner J.K. Simmons

Big animation movies love having superstar actors to inhabit their characters. And on that count, "Kung Fu Panda 3" does very well.

As in the previous two films from the DreamWorks Animation hit franchise, Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie Chan, Seth Rogen, Lucy Liu, and David Cross are all present to give their voices.

And this year, the studio added Oscar winner J.K. Simmons to voice the villain in part three, Kai, who has come from the spirit realm to take the chi of all the kung fu masters.

Simmons is no stranger to doing animation work. He was Mayor Lionheart in the Disney hit "Zootopia" and his voice can be heard on this season of "Archer" as well as for Lennie Turtletaub in "BoJack Horseman."

Why do top-flight actors love to do animation work? Simmons gave Business Insider three reasons why.

"Kung Fu Panda 3" is now available on Blu-ray and DVD.