Nick Offerman hopes The Pout-Pout Fish delights tough child critics
This Australian animation features an international voice cast led by Nick Offerman and Nina Oyama, who can't wait for children to see the film.
The Pout-Pout Fish brings together an unlikely duo.
A prickly recluse and a hyperactive sea dragon embark on a daunting, undersea quest.
They're looking for a mythical fish they hope will grant a wish to save their homes.
Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation, The Last of Us, We're the Millers) voices Mr Fish, who has two main problems: everyone and everything.
"It's one of those left-handed compliments where somebody called up and said, 'There's this really sad, curmudgeonly fish who's a real bummer, and we think you would be perfect'," Offerman told ABC News.
"I think all of us can understand … where you just can't deal with the people maybe in your household, in your neighbourhood, at your workplace, where you're just like, 'Talk to the hand. I've had enough.'
"And in the case of Mr Pout-Pout Fish, he isolates himself."
Shimmer is a fabled mythical fish voiced by Grammy nominee Jordin Sparks.
Maslow Entertainment and Like A Photon Creative
Offerman says while Mr Fish wants to live alone and be grumpy, circumstances force him to take on a new perspective.
"I love the way that he's sort of forced to welcome people into his life and see the error of his ways and be taught the hard way that we need each other," Offerman said.
"We need other people with different talents and different cultures and upbringings to work together to make a happy community.
"You're not going to be happy living alone and just being a miser."
Pip and Mr Fish need to work together to save their homes.
Maslow Entertainment and Like A Photon Creative via Viva Pictures Distribution
Offerman and his wife actor, Megan Mullally, don't have kids of their own, and Mullally has said on a podcast that Offerman has never been traumatised by this. But he's waiting with great anticipation for his nieces, godchildren, and the many other children in his life to see the film.
"I love to communicate stories that will delight kids," Offerman said.
"In fact, it's kind of the highest bar because there are a lot of things that I've done that people watch and they're like, 'Oh yeah, that was a pretty good show,' but you can't get that past kids. Kids are like, 'No, that was stupid, that was boring.'
"I love entertaining kids because they are our future."
Among the all-star voice cast are Nick Offerman, Nina Oyama, Jordin Sparks, Amy Sedaris, Mark Coles Smith, Nazeem Hussain, Miranda Otto, Remy Hii and Mel Buttle.
Maslow Entertainment and Like A Photon Creative
The Pout-Pout Fish is an Australian production from award-winning Brisbane-based studio Like A Photon Creative.
It features an all-star local and international voice cast, including Offerman, Nina Oyama, Jordin Sparks, Amy Sedaris, Mark Coles Smith, Nazeem Hussain, Miranda Otto, Remy Hii, Mel Buttle, and others, with Sparks also recording an original song for the movie.
A partnership like Shrek and Donkey
Oyama (Deadloch, Utopia) voices the "of-fish-ally" adorable Pip, who is a bundle of positivity.
"I just loved her spirit, and I love that she is so resilient, and she has a really open heart," Oyama told ABC News.
"She's very trusting of everyone and she's always looking on the bright side of life."
Nina Oyama was drawn to Pip's energy.
Maslow Entertainment and Like A Photon Creative via Viva Pictures Distribution
Oyama says while Mr Fish and Pip may be atypical friends, their partnership works.
"I like to think of their relationship as — it's a bit like Shrek and Donkey," she said.
"Shrek just wants to be left alone, and Donkey instead is dragging him out of the swamp kicking and screaming … I love that type of character that's so relentlessly annoying, but so lovable."
Oyama urged Aussies to get behind the film.
"Animation, as well, it's such a machine," Oyama said.
"What you see on screen for animation there's, I don't know, hundreds and hundreds of people behind each little movement, behind each design of a character.
"If you watch The Pout-Pout Fish, you will be supporting the Australian screen industry in a way that is really important."
The Pout-Pout Fish is based on a series of children's books that have sold more than 10 million copies.
Maslow Entertainment and Like A Photon Creative via Viva Pictures Distribution
She said during a decline in Australian-made content, The Pout-Pout Fish was a great opportunity to get behind a locally produced show.
"Since streamers have come to Australia and they haven't been making as much Australian content, I think it's just really important that people go out and support Australian films," Oyama said.
"Because I think there has been a decrease in Australian content being made here, by Australians … written by Australians and with Australian talent.
"And so, I think it's especially important that we all buy a ticket."
The Pout-Pout Fish will also be released in more than 2000 US cinemas from 20 March, in one of the widest Australian animation releases of all time.
The first Pout-Pout Fish book was published in 2008 and was named a top 10 children's book by Time Magazine that same year. Since then, its author Deborah Diesen has written scores of spin-offs, with more than 10 million copies sold.
"I actually was talking to some American friends, and I was like, 'I'm in this movie called The Pout-Pout Fish,' and they were like, 'Oh, we love those books … we can't wait to see it'," Oyama said.
"And so, it's really exciting to be part of a movie that has pre-existing IP that is popular amongst children in America too.
"So hopefully that makes a big splash over there as well."
The Pout-Pout Fish is in cinemas from New Year's Day.
