The Tiger’s Apprentice’s Brandon Soo Hoo and Diana Lee Inosanto discuss what it was about the film that made them want to be a part of it and more.
In The Tiger’s Apprentice, Tom is suddenly thrust into a world he once thought was only a part of his bedtime stories. Now, after tragedy strikes, he becomes Guardian of the phoenix and must train in order to protect it from the evil Loo.
We spoke with Brandon Soo Hoo (Tom) and Diana Lee Inosanto (Horse) about their new film The Tiger’s Apprentice. In this interview they reveal what it was about this film that made them want to be a part of it, as well as what they were most excited to see come to life from page to screen in the animation.
Brandon Soo Hoo & Diana Lee Inosanto Talk The Tiger’s Apprentice
Tessa Smith: Congratulations. I loved this movie. I found myself tearing up, but also on the edge of my seat during the action, so I’d love to know what it was for you guys that made you want to be a part of The Tiger’s Apprentice?
Diana Lee Inosanto: This has been a very fascinating project for me to work on because I was casted during the beginning of the pandemic, actually. And so, in way, this movie is almost a metaphor, because you talk about tears, we talk about action, but it’s really about overcoming tribulations and pulling together with your loved ones. So that was the beauty of being a part of this project. And I ended up meeting Carlos Viana, he’s one of the executive producers, and my husband and I came aboard early to do some of the martial arts sequences, and then it was funny, I hadn’t come out in The Mandalorian yet, but it was interesting. My manager is like, you know, she’ll be coming on something, and I think this is going to work out, the harmony of her being cast in this. And lo and behold, the cast is incredible. We have Brandon, it’s a real joy.
Brandon Soo Hoo: Yeah, I mean, the whole process of making this movie has been such a really fun journey. Like you were saying, since we’re doing this during the pandemic. I think voiceover stuff was the main thing that I was going out for, because a lot of the in person and live productions were not really happening. So this was a really cool opportunity to get in the booth, create some really cool artwork with an amazing team, and something that I really connected on was the martial arts aspect and the Zodiac aspect. I really feel like it was such an homage to my own Chinese and AAPI culture. So that was really special. And honestly, I’m such a nerd about animation. So any opportunity that I get to be a part of something that’s animated, or any kind of cartoon projects, is such a joy for me, because I really get lost in the booth. It’s such a sacred space that I can just perform and just utilize one aspect of the performance. It’s a lot of fun to be able to do cartoons and voiceover stuff.
Diana Lee Inosanto: Yeah. And I think too, I just felt like myself, like my own spirit, wanting to reach out to all the other actors that were working on this because we were all isolated from each other to have to do this. Yeah. So it’s beautiful that I finally get to meet Brandon here now.
Tessa Smith: So speaking of the animation, was there something that you were most excited to see come to screen when you were looking through the script? Like, a particular scene that maybe you were like, Oh, I can’t wait to see how that looks.
Brandon Soo Hoo: I mean, the showdown between, I don’t know how much I’m allowed to say so I’ll keep that low key, but there’s certain showdowns and I was reading through the script like this is going to be gorgeous animated. I’m really big on just like action animes and animations like that. So whenever I get to see a really cool fight scene, it’s really exciting for me, so reading it, I was like, this is gonna be really kick ass.
Diana Lee Inosanto: I was just thinking, even the earlier material I saw, not giving anything away. But to see even Michelle Yeah, come on. Even animation she looks great.
The Tiger’s Apprentice comes exclusively to Paramount+ on February 2nd.
NEXT: The Tiger’s Apprentice Review: Boasts A Talented Cast
About The Tiger’s Apprentice
Based on the popular children’s book series of the same name by Laurence Yep, THE TIGER’S APPRENTICE follows Chinese-American teenager Tom Lee (Soo Hoo), whose life changes forever when he discovers he is part of a long lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians.
With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu (Golding), Tom trains to take on Loo (Yeoh), a force that is as powerful as a Guardian but with evil intentions to use magic to destroy humanity.
To have a fighting chance against Loo, Tom must reunite all twelve Zodiac animal warriors and master his own newly discovered powers.
The Tiger’s Apprentice comes exclusively to Paramount+ on February 2nd.
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. She is also a Freelance Writer. Tessa has been in the Entertainment writing business for ten years and is a member of several Critics Associations including the Critics Choice Association and the Greater Western New York Film Critics Association.