Nick Offerman and Jordin Sparks dive into the heart of The Pout-Pout Fish, discussing self-acceptance and the magic of bringing the book to life.
Based on the beloved children’s book series by Deborah Diesen, The Pout-Pout Fish is making its way from the page to the big screen this year. The story follows the perpetually gloomy Mr. Fish, a resident of the deep sea who believes his “pout-pout face” is his permanent destiny. However, the film expands the 32-page classic into a high-stakes undersea adventure. After losing his home, the stoic Mr. Fish must team up with a hyperactive sea dragon named Pip to find a legendary, wish-granting fish.
Mama’s Geeky sat down with stars Nick Offerman and Jordin Sparks share their excitement about bringing these iconic aquatic characters to life. Nick Offerman discusses the “mind-blowing” artistry of the animators and his hilarious collaboration with co-star Nina Oyama, who plays Pip.
Meanwhile, Jordin Sparks opens up about her personal connection to her character, Shimmer, and the goosebumps she feels knowing her voice will become a core memory for a new generation of fans.
Nick Offerman On Mr. Fish
Tessa Smith: What does it mean to be the voice of a character that’s already so iconic?
Nick Offerman: It’s really fun. I mean, for the same reason that the book is so popular, the script was incredibly rewarding to work on. It immediately hooked me when they sent it to me. And I just, I love being part of this kind of medicinal storytelling. You know, it’s a really fun way to spend an hour and a half. And we come out with a really healthy message for our neighborhoods.
Tessa Smith: What was your reaction when you first saw your animated version of Mr. Fish?
Nick Offerman: I really, I love seeing like, when you’re in the booth, I try to perform things in a way that not only, you know, am I, am I giving a good emotional performance and that’s naturalistic and easily renderable, but I also try to give nuances where you’re making noises or you’re like, yeah, you’re, you’re conveying a tone that the animators then are so good at hearing little details like that, and then adding it to your facial expressions. And so it’s really fun to see little cues that I hoped like seeds that I planted turn into whole mannerisms and like behaviors in this fish. So it’s, I mean, it’s, it’s for a performer, it’s like a wonderful Christmas morning. Every, every scene is a different gift that you’re opening and you’re like, oh my God, you made me look so much more charming than I could have done on my own.
Tessa Smith: He’s got his little sidekick Pip and their connection is so great. Can you talk about that?
Nick Offerman: I can. I mean, that’s my favorite thing is, is Nina Oyama, who plays Pip, was such an incredible surprise to me. Once I saw her, I had seen her in a couple of things, but this, I think she should become like a global superstar from this movie. She’s so funny. She’s like Robin Williams or something. She’s such a hilarious and unflappable clown. And I just, I love, you know, I’m so lucky. It reminds me of Parks and Recreation where my relationship with Amy Poehler’s character, all it requires of me is to just shut up and let them be a genius. And people are like, what a great collaboration. Look at this teamwork. And all I did was sit there. And so I really, I really get the lucky end of that stick.
Jordin Sparks On Shimmer
Tessa Smith: What is it like for you to get to take this character who is such a much smaller role in the book and really bring her to life in this film?
Jordin Sparks: Yes. So I had a realization probably like, it’s probably like 40 minutes ago now at this point, but I was, I was kind of talking about it and I just was like, you know, she didn’t really have, she didn’t say much in the first or in the book. And then I was like, and it’s really cool to be able to give this character a voice, which normally it’s usually not that way. The character is always somebody already, somebody who’s known and you know, their personality and you know, their, their thoughts, you know, so much about them. So it’s nerve wracking. Um, cause I was like, Oh, I didn’t really think about that. I didn’t really think about that when I was, when I was doing it. But I, I honestly think that it’s kind of a good thing that I didn’t because there are going to be so many kids that know the book and are going to see this. And my voice is going to be that, that memory for them. And that’s, I don’t even know what to do. Like it gives me goosebumps thinking about it. Cause it’s really, it’s really incredible.
Tessa Smith: What was your reaction when you saw her? She’s so flowy. And I love all her little fins.
Jordin Sparks: No, I was just like, really? You couldn’t like, it’s the prettiest fish I’ve ever seen. I was like, she’s pink and she’s shimmery. And she’s like, she’s, she’s kind of demure, but like not really. Cause she knows, she knows a lot, like the whole search for her, but I, I just really loved, I loved everything that they did with it. I just thought it looked so good. And I’m, I’m really, really proud of being a part of this film. And I also hope that man, there’s kids like your kids who are going to like go and see this film. And I’m excited for somebody to be like, Oh, my kids loved you as shimmer. You know, it’s, it’s cool to be, to be recognized or, or seen as something other than what I already do or what people know me for.
Be sure to watch our full video interview for more details from Nick Offerman and Jordin Sparks about The Pout-Pout Fish.
About The Pout-Pout Fish
The Pout-Pout Fish is the hilarious and heartwarming story of an unlikely duo: Mr. Fish (Nick Offerman) a pouty introvert and Pip (Nina Oyama) an energetic sea dragon, who embark on a daunting quest to find a legendary fish to grant their wish to save their homes.
The Pout-Pout Fish comes to theaters March 20th.
NEXT: The Pout-Pout Fish Review: Nick Offerman Shines As Mr. Fish
Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.