KUNG FU PANDA 3: Speaking with James Hong

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray on June 28^th from DreamWorks Animation and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is everyone’s favorite Dragon Warrior in KUNG FU PANDA 3.

In 2008 KUNG FU PANDA introduced us all to a loveable Panda named Po who lived in the Valley of Peace. Son of Mr. Ping the noodle maker, Po’s one dream was to meet his Kung Fu heroes in the Furious Five! Little did he know that his little dream would become a life changing big dream when he is chosen as the Dragon Warrior.

KUNG FU PANDA 2 followed in 2011 with Po and the Furious Five bring down the evil peacock Shen. He also learns more about how he came to be with Mr. Ping and the noodle shop learning that love comes in many guises.

Now, in 2016, KUNG FU PANDA 3 is coming to Bluray to again delight us as Po discovers his panda family, where they live and teach them how to protect the village from the supernatural villain Kai!

In the third installment as Po finds his Panda-Dad, you can be sure that Mr. Ping isn’t about to let his son just go off into this new world without him! Voicing this protective and loving feathered father is actor James Hong who has over 60 years of experience in Hollywood. From comedy to drama, this versatile actor has done both the big screen and small.

On the smaller screen, Hong has been a part of some of the most iconic television shows such as The Man Called X, The Millionaire, General Electric Theater, Playhouse 90, Dragnet, Peter Gunn, Bonanza, Wagon Train, The Outer Limits, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Kung Fu just to name a few (and trust me there are dozens more!).

Hong also stood out on the big screen in films such as BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA, THE GOLDEN CHILD (my personal favorite), WAYNE’S WORLD 2, and BLADE RUNNER, BALLS OF FURY again to name just a few. Animation isn’t new to this fine actor either playing Chi-Fu in the 1998 animated film MULAN.

So imagine how pretty jazzed I was to have the opportunity to speak with one of Hollywood’s coolest to talk about being the voice and heart of Mr. Ping and what the two share in common.

Thanks for speaking with me today James!

JH: Hi Jeri, how are you?

I’m doing good thanks! I have to tell you that I’m actually a huge fan of yours.

JH: Well, that’s always a good start.

When you originally read the part of Mr. Ping, what did you think?

JH: Let me see, going back now because it’s been so many years since we did the first, it was close to me because I was practically born in a restaurant. My father put me to work washing dishes and cutting celery in a Chinese restaurant and so I watched the cooks doing their things and learned to make noodles. We made hand made noodles in those days along with my brother. We started with it all on the table with the flour and making circles, putting the water and milk kneading it by hand. We didn’t have a machine in those days. So I grew up making noodles and of course in order to make the noodles taste good in a Chinese restaurant you have got to make good soup. In that sense I learned how to make soup from the bones of pork and chicken, I was born into it all. It wasn’t hard to do Mr. Ping after all that and of course I’m a father as well. I would say Mr. Ping is a cross between a Jewish Mama and a Chinese waiter.

<We both break out laughing which happens quite a few times during the interview and, of course, I am more a fan than before>

I can see that because the relationship between Mr. Ping and Po is so endearing and I have to say it is because of you.

JH: Thank you very much, for that you get one free wonton.

Hey, I’ll take a free wonton anytime!

JH: The Chinese waiter part I mean all you have to do is go to San Francisco, there was once this three story restaurant where there was a waiter there that would say ‘whachuwant’. It’s famous! All the Chinese waiters I have met in my life all go into the character of Mr. Ping.

You pretty much based your character on that?

JH: Yes, the impressions of them. It’s like a popular song where the melody keeps popping into your mind. As an actor, all these images play in my head and I get to the studio to say my lines and they all come out.

Where you excited to come back each time to expand on your loveable character?

JH: Yes, they were all different with different directors and direction but Mr. Ping, he stays the same. Finally in number KUNG FU PANDA 3 he gets a bigger role following Po and watching over him. It is very endearing and Mr. Ping makes sure he is safe and eating correctly. All of that is close to my heart and I pour it all into the role of Mr. Ping. It is very easy for me to do that. DreamWorks is a great bunch to work for.

In KUNG FU PANDA 3 you were saying Mr. Ping gets more play, even though Po finds his birth father your character never gives up or changes. No matter what anyone says Ping is going to protect Po.

JH: Of course, to me as Mr. Ping, Po is part of me therefore how can you cut that out or make it any different. It is a part of your soul, your being and you treat it as it’s a part of you by protecting it. That’s the way I treat Po, he is really part of me. Forget this father thing, it doesn’t matter if he’s his real father or adopted father, Po is part of Ping.

That’s what makes the film so special, you show how it is about heart and soul. As Ping you let us know that in your own unique way. You have had such an amazing career, how did you start?

JH: Believe it or not I came here one summer as part of a comedy team called Hong & Parker and that summer we thought we would break in show business. Finally I got on Groucho Marx’s television show You Bet Your Life (1950) and somebody said, “There is this Chinese kid who does impressions and he does one of you Groucho” and he said, “Put him on!” I got the second biggest fan mail ever on his program. That opened all doors and I decided to stay in Hollywood. Movies came rather easily for me with the first with Clark Gable, the second one with John Wayne and the third one with William Holden. The roles came pouring in ten at a time. It was both television and movies. In the early days it didn’t matter I did them all from comedy to quirky films like BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA to iconic films like BLADE RUNNER. I did them all. That’s the story.

Do you have a favorite genre or are you up for anything?

JH: I throw myself into all the roles so it doesn’t matter. I love them all, BLADE RUNNER was a huge role and people remember me in roles like that for some reason. That’s my award, I don’t get nominated for an Academy Award but I think my fans have nominated me in a sense.

When you are reading the script for the next film do you have the character already planned out in your head?

JH: Yes, when I read the script I always ask myself ‘what precedes my scene and why is my scene here?’ and then I analyze what I will be doing. You have to or otherwise the story will be out of place. If you can see the character and call upon your talent to portray that then it will be good.

You make the role of Ping sound a lot easier than other roles you have played.

JH: He is part of me but I do that with every character. I think the most important thing is that you can’t let any of that go to your head. You can’t walk around thinking “I’m great”, no, you can’t do that as an actor. You are hired to be an actor and play a role and do your best. You don’t go off the deep end, you have to stay level and keep your head above water. Do that and you’ll have 60+ years and more in this business.

That’s a wonderful attitude to have towards your work. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone I’ve spoken to actually come out and say that.

JH: It’s true.

My family and I enjoy you so much and I’m really honored to talk to you. I think you’re an amazing actor and I love you as a noodle making Dad!

JH: Oh, thank you!

A sense of humor and a sense of character-self is what I have come away with talking with James today. His talent is absolutely undeniable hitting icon status in film and now in the KUNG FU PANDA series. There is no one better suited to bring us joy, laughter, care, concern and love than James Hong as the nervous noodle making feathery father of the Dragon Warrior.

On June 28^th from DreamWorks Animation and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment is a chance to re-experience James Hong’s talent as the ever loveable Mr. Ping along with son Po as KUNG FU PANDA 3 is available on Bluray, DVD and Digital HD.

 

 

 

KUNG FU PANDA 3 Brings Bluray Fun for the Entire Family!

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to Bluray and DVD June 28th from directors Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh, DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment and 20^th Century Fox Home Entertainment comes the colorful return of everyone’s favorite Panda with KUNG FU PANDA 3.

Po (Jack Black) is still the every lively Dragon Warrior at the Jade Palace. Along with Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross) they keep the Valley of Peace, well, peaceful!

Having his moment of wonder, Po begins to ask questions about who he is and how to find the peace everyone talks about. While visiting his Dad Mr. Ping (James Hong), Po comes face to face with his biological father Li (Bryan Cranston). Excited beyond belief, Po also learns that there is a whole village of family waiting to meet him.

But Mr. Ping isn’t about to let his panda baby-boy go without him! When Po, Mr. Ping and Li arrive at the village, they welcome is more than the young Panda could ever have expected. He begins to learn the ways of the panda with fun, eating and rolling; the later might take some getting use to.

While Po is visiting his family roots, the Valley of Peace comes under attack. Shifu learns that Oogway’s (Randall Duk Kim) one-time friend Kai (J.K. Simmons) wants to squeeze everything from both the spiritual and real world. The only way Kai can do that is to collect the souls of all the kung fu masters and of the Dragon Warrior.

Tigress manages to escape finding Po in the panda village. Telling him everything there is only one way to stop Kai from destroying the family he has just come to understand and love. His plan is a simple one, train every person in the village in what they do best in order to save the village and return those that Kai has taken. Even Mr. Ping and Li have a moment of realization that coming together for the good of Po’s plan is what makes them both amazing fathers.

It is now time to become more of the Dragon Warrior than anyone, including Po would ever thought possible – but that’s the power of love, loyalty and family!

Black as Po returns to lend his unique style to the character of Po. In fact, I think it can be said without argument that no one could or should attempt to play the voice role of Po – ever. I love the comedy, the timing and just the love that comes through of Black voicing this character. Po has so many sweet qualities in that he loves being part of the Furious Five, he loves having Shifu for support, he wants to protect those that need protecting and even when he’s afraid he doesn’t let it stop him from protecting all those he has loved and the new family.

Cranston as panda-Dad Li is the carbon copy of Po in every way with a little more fun that Po embraces with such admiration and thrill. The scene inside the Jade Palace is hilarious! Never have I seen a Panda stress less than Po’s Panda Dad, wonderfully done.

Simmons as Kai is absolutely hilarious, even when he’s trying to be a tough guy I can’t help but laugh. When Kai thinks he can just take Po and become absolute in power my first thought was, “yea, he’s never met a Dragon Warrior like Po”. Yes, that pretty much makes me a fan. Simmons has such timing in his line delivery for comedy and at the same time a little scary when he yells – I mean yikes!

Jolie as Tigress stands behind Po and has come to a good place with her friendship with the Dragon Warrior and I couldn’t be happier, is that weird? I love Rogen as Mantis with his snappy lines, Chan as Monkey is fun, Cross as Crane is as steadfast as ever and Liu as Viper is still the fastest snake ever!

I have to give a shout out to Kim as Oogway. Never have I loved turtles more than the first time I heard Oogway give his pearls of wisdom to Po. I was equally thrilled to see him again in KUNG FU PANDA 3 if only because when he talks with Po, it is such a tender relationship filled with no judgment. We should all be so blessed to find an Oogway in our lives.

Hong as duck-Dad Mr. Ping has always been so protective of Po and no birth Dad is going to change that! Afraid he is going to lose that place in Po’s heart, every emotion is in his voice to the point where I wanted to reach through the screen and give him a hug. Mr. Ping is loveable, fiercely loyal, and every bit Po’s father as the day the chubby bundle showed up in his radish box!

Other cast include: Kate Hudson as Mei Mei, Steele Gagnon as Bao, Liam Knight as Lei Lei, and Wayne Knight as Hom-Lee.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment brings award-winning global product and new entertainment to DVD, Bluray, and Digital HD. There amazing collection offers fans an opportunity to expand their own home libraries with the best films. To discover what other titles they have please visit www.fox.com.

I am an absolute fan of the first two KUNG FU PANDA films and can honestly say I am thrilled about this film on Bluray. There is everything amazing starting with the animation which is color, vibrant, beautiful and magically done. There is such fluidity in the movement of the characters and not just with the fight scenes but even as the pandas roll down the hill. It is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the child at heart in us all.

The storyline gives us answers as to Po’s life before being found by Mr. Ping and the family that has long believed he would return. We get to experience seeing Po become that part of himself he didn’t understand which made him a better panda, son, friend and Dragon Warrior. Po is already quite endearing but KUNG FU PANDA 3 takes that endearment to a whole new level of awesomeness.

The Bluray, DVD and Digital HD include the Special Features Everybody Loves a Panda Party – Join Po and the entire cast of lovable pandas to sing-along and learn why everybody loves a panda party in this all-new presentation. Po’s Posters of Awesomeness – Po leads a deeper exploration of the awesome art in Mr. Ping’s hut as the posters come to life and illustrate his hilarious stories. Panda Paws – Watch the enormously talented panda ribbon dancer Mei Mei starring with Bao in an exclusive animated tale.

Also included is Make a Panda Party Paper Pal – Learn the mystical art of paper folding and create a village of panda pals as Po hosts this fun and entertaining tutorial. Play Like a Panda – Adorable overload! Learn all about real baby pandas, their amazing lives, and their remarkable playful ways. The Origin of “Skadoosh” – For the first time ever, Po reveals the extra-super-secret origin of his world-famous catchphrase.

Finally, Faux Paws Deleted Scenes – Discover fascinating story insights with this revealing collection of deleted footage you couldn’t see in theatres. This is a Bluray has so much to offer the family!

This truly is a family film in every way filled with fun, laughter, adventure and it is all wrapped up in a big rice ball of love. Every person will be delighted and moved – isn’t that what a family film should be all about? Getting together to see a film that not only has something for everyone but is fun to experience together.

In the end – grab destiny by the rice dumpling!

 

KUNG FU PANDA 3 Brings Fun for the Entire Family!

 

Jeri Jacquin

Coming to theatres this Friday from directors Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh and DreamWorks Animation comes the colorful return of everyone’s Panda with KUNG FU PANDA 3.

Po (Jack Black) is still the every lively Dragon Warrior at the Jade Palace. Along with Shifu (Dustin Hoffman), Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Viper (Lucy Liu) and Crane (David Cross) they keep the Valley of Peace, well, peaceful!

Having his moment of wonder, Po begins to ask questions about who he is and how to find the peace everyone talks about. While visiting his Dad Mr. Ping (James Hong), Po comes face to face with his biological father Li (Bryan Cranston). Excited beyond belief, Po also learns that there is a whole village of family waiting to meet him.

But Mr. Ping isn’t about to let his panda baby-boy go without him! When Po, Mr. Ping and Li arrive at the village, they welcome is more than the young Panda could ever have expected. He begins to learn the ways of the panda with fun, eating and rolling; the later might take some getting use to.

While Po is visiting his family roots, the Valley of Peace comes under attack. Shifu learns that Oogway’s (Randall Duk Kim) one-time friend Kai (J.K. Simmons) wants to squeeze everything from both the spiritual and real world. The only way Kai can do that is to collect the souls of all the kung fu masters and of the Dragon Warrior.

Tigress manages to escape finding Po in the panda village. Telling him everything there is only one way to stop Kai from destroying the family he has just come to understand and love. His plan is a simple one, train every person in the village in what they do best in order to save the village and return those that Kai has taken. Even Mr. Ping and Li have a moment of realization that coming together for the good of Po’s plan is what makes them both amazing fathers.

It is now time to become more of the Dragon Warrior than anyone, including Po would ever thought possible – but that’s the power of love, loyalty and family!

Black as Po returns to lend his unique style to the character of Po. In fact, I think it can be said without argument that no one could or should attempt to play the voice role of Po – ever. I love the comedy, the timing and just the love that comes through of Black voicing this character. Po has so many sweet qualities in that he loves being part of the Furious Five, he loves having Shifu for support, he wants to protect those that need protecting and even when he’s afraid he doesn’t let it stop him from protecting all those he has loved and the new family.

Cranston as panda-Dad Li is the carbon copy of Po in every way with a little more fun that Po embraces with such admiration and thrill. The scene inside the Jade Palace is hilarious! Hong as duck-Dad Mr. Ping has always been so protective of Po and no birth Dad is going to change that! Afraid he is going to lose that place in Po’s heart, every emotion is in his voice to the point where I wanted to reach through the screen and give him a hug.

Simmons as Kai is absolutely hilarious, even when he’s trying to be a tough guy I can’t help but laugh. When Kai thinks he can just take Po and become absolute in power my first thought was, “yea, he’s never met a Dragon Warrior like Po”. Yes, that pretty much makes me a fan. Simmons has such timing in his line delivery for comedy and at the same time a little scary when he yells – I mean yikes!

Jolie as Tigress stands behind Po and has come to a good place with her friendship with the Dragon Warrior and I couldn’t be happier, is that weird? I love Rogen as Mantis with his snappy lines, Chan as Monkey is fun, Cross as Crane is as steadfast as ever and Liu as Viper is still the fastest snake ever!

I have to give a shout out to Kim as Oogway. Never have I loved turtles more than the first time I heard Oogway give his pearls of wisdom to Po. I was equally thrilled to see him again in KUNG FU PANDA 3 if only because when he talks with Po, it is such a tender relationship filled with no judgment. We should all be so blessed to find an Oogway in our lives.

Other cast include: Kate Hudson as Mei Mei, Steele Gagnon as Bao, Liam Knight as Lei Lei, and Wayne Knight as Hom-Lee.

TUBS OF POPCORN: I give KUNG FU PANDA 3 four and a half tubs of popcorn out of five. I am an absolute fan of the first two KUNG FU PANDA films and can honestly say I am thrilled for this film. There is everything amazing starting with the animation which is color, vibrant, beautiful and magically done. There is such fluidity in the movement of the characters and not just with the fight scenes but even as the pandas roll down the hill. It is a feast for the eyes and a delight for the child at heart in us all.

The storyline gives us answers as to Po’s life before being found by Mr. Ping and the family that has long believed he would return. We get to experience seeing Po become that part of himself he didn’t understand which made him a better panda, son, friend and Dragon Warrior. Po is already quite endearing but KUNG FU PANDA 3 takes that endearment to a whole new level of awesomeness.

This truly is a family film in ever way filled with fun, laughter, adventure and it is all wrapped up in a big rice ball of love. Every person in the audience was delighted and moved and isn’t that what a family film should be all about? Getting together to see a film that not only has something for everyone but allows every person experience it together.

In the end – grab destiny by the rice dumpling!