Kung Fu Panda 2 sees Angelina Jolie once again voice the character of Tigress as she is joined on the cast list by Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman.
- Hi Angelina. It's great to see you back in Kung Fu Panda 2 as the fearless Tigress. Tell us, has Tigress changed much since we first met her in the original film?
She's still the fearless fighter, but you will see a nice, slight change in her. She has learned to open up a little and be a little nicer. That does not mean she goes easy on the bad guys. Not at all (laughs).
- What was it like returning as Tigress in Kung Fu Panda 2?
I think it was a lot more fun the second time around because we all got to know each other, our characters had history together and we were able to just jump back in.
The break between the first film and Kung Fu Panda was actually not that long because they take so many years to make.
- What is it about playing Tigress that keeps you coming back?
I love her. Tigress is one of the best characters I have played. Like I said earlier, she's fearless. But there is another side to her.
- Tigress, Po and the other members of the Furious Five go into battle against a new nemesis. Can you tell us about the new villain in Kung Fu Panda 2.
Gary Oldman voices the new villain. The villain is a peacock named Shen who wants to create an ultimate weapon to destroy China. A peacock doesn't sound villainous, but with Gary bringing Shen to life, the peacock is extremely scary (laughs).
- As well as the great animation and characters, there's a wonderful message in the Kung Fu Panda films.
The nice thing about this story is we are really growing up with Po and finding out about human nature and the belief you can be anyone you want no matter what you look like or where you come from. It's a journey about finding yourself.
With this one it was very much about family and family at the end of the day is where the love is and no matter what you have gone through in your youth, it is about who you choose to be in life. You can define your own destiny. You can be stronger than a very difficult past and overcome it.
- What do your kids think of the Kung Fu Panda movies? It touches on adoption. Did they have any questions?
They absolutely loved it. They laughed through the whole thing. I wondered if they'd ask me questions about it, but because 'adoption' and 'birth mother' and 'orphanage' are happy words in our home, they are used to discussions about it. They felt quite proud they were a little more like Po.
- What brings you inner peace?
For people who have children, I think if you wake up and your kids are healthy, you know that is the most important thing. That brings you peace. Kids also come with a lot of chaos. But, I think we are all searching for it. It's part of the human journey.
We have moments of inner peace, then we lose it and we look for it again, but really it's knowing the people you love are safe and healthy. That's the best thing.
- Are you careful when choosing the films your children watch?
One, you have to know your children. Some children have a better understanding and are ready before others. But, for a film like this, I don't see it as a film that is too violent.
I think it is quite the opposite because the strength, even in the final battle, it is the inner peace and the way of sending back somebody's negative energy is what wins against the manic aggression, violence and war weapons. It is the one that doesn't want to use violence, but chooses to find a centre, wins. My boys are in martial arts classes and it's been a great thing.
Boys are boys and they have a certain kind of energy, naturally. It has been been wonderful to get them focused on martial arts and to teach them about discipline, respect and control of their own bodies.
To ignore what is a part of human beings and, especially, little boys, is wrong. It is to help guide them through it and help give them some assistance in finding out who is a good guy? Who do you fight against if you need to? To try not to, certainly, but if you have to defend yourself.
- Does it give you a lot of satisfaction knowing that your kids can watch the Kung Fu Panda films. They are probably too young to see your dramatic work, but they can sit and watch Kung Fu Panda 1 and 2.
Definitely. I am as proud of the Kung Fu Panda movies as any of my other work. They are beautifully made, are a lot of fun, there's great action, they have emotional moments and they are movies families can sit down and watch together.
- It seems like Hollywood is in the middle of a golden era for animated films.
I feel like I'm very lucky to be part of animated films today and especially this one. I'm emotionally connected to this one.
I think the messages are very strong. It takes so much talent from the directors and writers to be able to make a film that makes kids giggle and laugh and get excited about the action and 3D and beneath it they learn these pretty heavy life lessons. As a parent, that's something you really want to be able to give your kids.
- Do you remember the first time you saw what Tigress looked like?
When I first saw the characters I didn't know if Tigress was a boy or a girl, but I knew I wanted to play that character. I was excited when I found out she was a girl.
Po has, for a male character, a lot of sensitivity and emotion. I think it is a great balance that Tigress is the harder one that needs to learn to be more emotional and Po is the more emotional one that needs to be tougher.
- You have played a lot of tough women and femme fatales. What's the real Angelina Jolie like?
Who I am 100 per cent is a Mommy who changes diapers and is coloring all night long. I'm sure I'm very soft. I have always been drawn to strong characters and I admire strong women emotionally and physically.
Not just physically, but women who are fighting for something. I have a sense of justice and injustice. It has always been more than just wanting to be tough.
I have been very lucky that I came to my career at a time where women have been allowed to have these roles and have had such great opportunities for these characters.
- Do kids around the world recognize you as Tigress?
It's the film my kids love and as I travel around the world it's the film other kids talk to me about. It's better than anything. It's the best.
- The Kung Fu Panda films are huge hits around the world. In non-English speaking countries other actors voice Tigress, Po and the other characters. Have you met the other Tigress voice actors?
Yes. It's interesting meeting our counterparts. We're kind of like a family. There's a sisterhood of Tigresses.
Kung Fun Panda 2 is out on DVD& Blu-Ray 14th November.
Kung Fu Panda 2 sees Angelina Jolie once again voice the character of Tigress as she is joined on the cast list by Jack Black and Dustin Hoffman.
- Hi Angelina. It's great to see you back in Kung Fu Panda 2 as the fearless Tigress. Tell us, has Tigress changed much since we first met her in the original film?
She's still the fearless fighter, but you will see a nice, slight change in her. She has learned to open up a little and be a little nicer. That does not mean she goes easy on the bad guys. Not at all (laughs).
- What was it like returning as Tigress in Kung Fu Panda 2?
I think it was a lot more fun the second time around because we all got to know each other, our characters had history together and we were able to just jump back in.
The break between the first film and Kung Fu Panda was actually not that long because they take so many years to make.
- What is it about playing Tigress that keeps you coming back?
I love her. Tigress is one of the best characters I have played. Like I said earlier, she's fearless. But there is another side to her.
- Tigress, Po and the other members of the Furious Five go into battle against a new nemesis. Can you tell us about the new villain in Kung Fu Panda 2.
Gary Oldman voices the new villain. The villain is a peacock named Shen who wants to create an ultimate weapon to destroy China. A peacock doesn't sound villainous, but with Gary bringing Shen to life, the peacock is extremely scary (laughs).
- As well as the great animation and characters, there's a wonderful message in the Kung Fu Panda films.
The nice thing about this story is we are really growing up with Po and finding out about human nature and the belief you can be anyone you want no matter what you look like or where you come from. It's a journey about finding yourself.
With this one it was very much about family and family at the end of the day is where the love is and no matter what you have gone through in your youth, it is about who you choose to be in life. You can define your own destiny. You can be stronger than a very difficult past and overcome it.
- What do your kids think of the Kung Fu Panda movies? It touches on adoption. Did they have any questions?
They absolutely loved it. They laughed through the whole thing. I wondered if they'd ask me questions about it, but because 'adoption' and 'birth mother' and 'orphanage' are happy words in our home, they are used to discussions about it. They felt quite proud they were a little more like Po.
- What brings you inner peace?
For people who have children, I think if you wake up and your kids are healthy, you know that is the most important thing. That brings you peace. Kids also come with a lot of chaos. But, I think we are all searching for it. It's part of the human journey.
We have moments of inner peace, then we lose it and we look for it again, but really it's knowing the people you love are safe and healthy. That's the best thing.
- Are you careful when choosing the films your children watch?
One, you have to know your children. Some children have a better understanding and are ready before others. But, for a film like this, I don't see it as a film that is too violent.
I think it is quite the opposite because the strength, even in the final battle, it is the inner peace and the way of sending back somebody's negative energy is what wins against the manic aggression, violence and war weapons. It is the one that doesn't want to use violence, but chooses to find a centre, wins. My boys are in martial arts classes and it's been a great thing.
Boys are boys and they have a certain kind of energy, naturally. It has been been wonderful to get them focused on martial arts and to teach them about discipline, respect and control of their own bodies.
To ignore what is a part of human beings and, especially, little boys, is wrong. It is to help guide them through it and help give them some assistance in finding out who is a good guy? Who do you fight against if you need to? To try not to, certainly, but if you have to defend yourself.
- Does it give you a lot of satisfaction knowing that your kids can watch the Kung Fu Panda films. They are probably too young to see your dramatic work, but they can sit and watch Kung Fu Panda 1 and 2.
Tagged in Angelina Jolie Kung Fu Panda