Jack Black with Po

How did you get the offer to voice Po in your latest film Kung Fu Panda?

I had played Lenny the shark in DreamWorks’ Shark Tale, and it seems that DWA head Jeffrey Katzenberg is my voice fan and he liked my work. So one day, Jeffrey came to me and basically said, ‘Hey, let’s make another one.’ And the next thing I know is Jeffrey asking if I’d be interested in voicing the character of Po in Kung Fu Panda. So, that’s how I got to lend my voice for Po.

So what actually prompted you to take up the offer?

I had done a character voice which was more of a nebbishy, New Yorker, kind of a Woody Allen-type of voice as Lenny. When I was offered to play Po I assumed I’d be getting back into the character voice thing. But Jeffrey said, ‘This time you’re the big cheese, and it’s called Kung Fu Panda.’ So, it was like, they wanted me…they wanted to hear the real me. So I thought, ‘Sure, I can do me.’ It was sorta like falling off a log into a recording studio.

Also, Kung Fu has always fascinated me. The graceful gymnastics of a martial arts master are a thrill to behold. And there were so many wonderful characters, especially the little mousey Kung Fu master and instructor Shifu, voiced by my hero Dustin Hoffman. And the scariest villain since Darth Vader, Tai Lung, portrayed by Ian McShane. I was completely sold. It was a very tantalising offer.

Tell us about your character Po...

Po is this enthusiastic, big and a little clumsy panda who is the biggest fan of Kung Fu. But it doesn’t come in handy while working in his family noodle shop. Po’s father is a noodle chef and he loves noodles. But Po finds that all a little bland, he wants more excitement in his world. So he fantasises about being a Kung Fu master. He idolises those great Kung Fu artistes like they were rock stars — they’re legendary in his mind. He’s ashamed to tell his father about his aspirations and also, Po’s a bit embarrassed, because he doesn’t think he really has what it takes to be a real Kung Fu master. So, he keeps it as a little secret.

Do you find any similarities between yourself and Po?

I think the panda and I are very similar to each other in many respects. We probably have the same body type and I resemble him a great deal! Even I am as cuddly as a panda (smiles). Po actually reminds me of myself as a kid — he’s an innocent, chubby dreamer on a quest to find his destiny.

Have you learnt any kind of martial arts?

Yes, when I was a kid even I wanted to be a martial arts champ. I took karate and judo classes. It was fun and good for my muscles. I even won a trophy in a judo tournament…but I must confess I outweighed the competition by a good 20 pounds. Although I never took any Kung Fu classes — I just saw it on TV and in the movies — it seemed to me that it was the most spiritual form of martial arts.

You and Dustin Hoffman got an opportunity to dub some scenes together. What do you have to say on the legendary actor and his character Shifu?

Oh it was great working with Dustin Hoffman and I am a big fan of his. I remember, in high school, watching the video of Death of a Salesman. I watched it tons of times and I was just blown away by him. Dustin and his character Shifu have a lot in common. Shifu is the great master of Kung Fu, and Dustin Hoffman is the great master of acting. He’s just great as Shifu because he’s the master and he’s kind of Zen in his approach. He has a spiritual approach to his craft, from what I’ve seen him do in person. He comes from this quiet place inside. He’ll find the truth of the scene and just go after it in a real way…and he’s also just a little bit grumpy, just like Shifu…..Perfect. (smiles)

What do you have to say about your directors John Stevenson and Mark Osborne?

John and Mark are both brilliant in their work. They really complement each other and make a good team. Mark is kind of the arty one — he’s got arty roots, having gone to art school, he’s really well versed in arty things. And John is really great with coming in and helping me focus on the emotional aspects of the story. He’s got mad chops when it comes to envisioning animal behaviour, animal voices and characters. He’s got a lot of experience. And they both have great brains and great hearts and together, they make a great team.

Finally, what according to you will register with the audience and what will they take home?

I believe it’s the journey that Po takes that will register with the audience. Po is like a big kid. I think kids will relate with him, his journey— he wants to be a Kung Fu master and he’s on a quest to do that. I think they’ll take that idea and, whatever they do, they’ll find some inspiration in that and they’ll take their own journeys. I mean, it may have sounded silly that I wanted to be an actor. It’s not the safest, most secure thing to go after. But you’ve got to follow your heart, do what you want to do, what you love to do. That takes courage, to be your own hero. And that’s what the movie is about.

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