Sink your Teeth into the Brandon Soo Hoo Interview!!
Hello my Grue-Lings and welcome to another grue Interview!’
Today we have a very special guest: The very talented young actor who has won numerous awards in multiple movies and tv series and currently plays Scott in From Dusk Till Dawn the series. He is trained in martial arts and is a very nice guy. Welcome Brandon Soo Hoo!!
Hellter: How do you feel about being a very successful Asian American in the entertainment world?
Brandon: It’s very humbling. I’m proud to be a representative of Asians in Hollywood; it’s one of my biggest motivations to put out quality work. Hopefully, in doing so, I can inspire more Asians to seek a career in acting, and help to broaden the diversity of roles for Asian actors.
Hellter: I hope you can help out more Asian actors as well. Some of my favorite films are Asian films. How was it like working with Ben Stiller in Tropic Thunder?
Brandon: At the age of 11, I couldn’t understand the significance of working alongside a star such as Ben Stiller (Or Jack Black and Robert Downey Jr., for that matter) in Tropic Thunder. But looking back at the experience, I’m indeed grateful for having had the opportunity to do so.
Hellter: Wow, that’s a hell of a cast you had working with you. Describe your role in Tropic Thunder and how it felt to win the young artist award for that role and your numerous other awards through the years?
Brandon: In Tropic Thunder my character, Tran, acted as the main antagonist of the film, leading a small army and running a heroin operation in the jungle of the Golden Triangle. Winning the award was a huge milestone in my life, and in my head, it affirmed my career as a young actor in Hollywood.
Hellter: Winning an award at a very young age is always good for an actor like yourself. Did you have to go through any special fighting or martial arts training for your role as Young Storm Shadow in GI Joe Rise of the Cobra?
Brandon: Prior to my role of Young Storm Shadow, I’ve had several years of martial arts experience, so picking up stunts/fight choreography wasn’t too difficult. Of course, all of the film’s incredible stunt team were excellent teachers, and their guidance throughout the shooting of the film was invaluable.
Hellter: That’s a lot of training, good job. I’m a big fan of workaholics, how was it like working with that crew? They seem like really funny, cool guys to be around.
Brandon: They were incredibly friendly people, and of course all had a great sense of humor. Additionally, they were all very open to improvisation, and shooting for that show was one of my first opportunities to attempt it.
Hellter: Awesome!! A show that put your name out there, even more, was Supah Ninjas. What was your role in Supah Ninjas?
Brandon: I played the role of Connor, the pestering cousin of the series’ main protagonist, Mike Fukanaga. Then later in the series, I’m revealed to be a skilled lieutenant of the evil ninja clan, known as the “Ishina”.
Hellter: Well don’t give away too many spoilers for the show if people haven’t seen it yet (laughs). You also did martial arts in Supah Ninjas, did you have fun working on that series and any good behind the scenes stories about working on the show?
Brandon: To this day, Supah Ninjas is still one of my favorite projects to have been a part of. Connor had some pretty awesome dialogue throughout the two seasons, along with some of the most elaborate fight scenes of my career. Every day on set hardly felt like work, so it’s difficult for me to distinguish a particular memory that stands out to me as the funniest or most interesting (laughs).
Hellter: Did you enjoy working on Enders Game? Loved that movie and you did excellent in your role. Also describe your role for people who never seen it?
Brandon: Thank you! Ender’s Game is also among my favorite experiences on set. We filmed in New Orleans, actually in the midst of Mardi Gras, which made for an incredibly unique shooting experience. Also, with a large cast of actors in a similar age-range, we quickly formed a tight camaraderie. For those of you who haven’t seen the film, I played the role of Fly Molo, a high-ranking member of Ender’s crew in Battle School.
Hellter: Mardi Gras is always a fun experience. Do you do your own stunts?
Brandon: When I’m allowed, I prefer to do as many of my own stunts as possible. However, more dangerous maneuvers, such as high falls or motor stunts, are usually assigned to specialized stunt men.
Hellter: Makes sense. I thought Incredible crew was a very funny show. I liked your humor. Were you disappointed that the Incredible crew only got one season?
Brandon: Of course would’ve been pleased to continue working on the show for many more seasons, so it was slightly disappointing for it to have ended so prematurely. However, I am satisfied with the work that we were able to produce in our single season, so I don’t harbor any bitter feelings about it ending!
Hellter: Did you watch From Dusk till Dawn the movie before auditioning for the tv series?
Brandon: I did, and was taken back by the grindhouse style of the film. It was the first time I’ve ever seen anything like it, and immediately fell in love with the genre.
Hellter: Glad to hear that, there is nothing better then the horror genre. Would you prefer to play the vampire or the person fighting the vampire, since you played both already in From Dusk till Dawn the series?
Brandon: If not for the time-consuming makeup process of becoming a culebra, I would thoroughly enjoy being a monster at all times. However, the makeup can be somewhat restricting at times, so I think I would prefer having more freedom by playing a human.
Hellter: I think playing a vampire would be amazing. Describe your role as Scott, both human Scott and vampire Scott?
Brandon: Before his transition into a culebra, Scott was an average teenage kid, if not somewhat prone to violent tendencies. Despite his slight dark streak, Scott always meant well. He was reasonably a good kid. Post-bite, he struggles a bit with his identity, trying to find his place within the criminal underworld. Apart from that, not much has changed except for his enhanced senses and fighting capabilities, and an unquenchable thirst for human blood (laughs).
Hellter: Nice. If they exist (laughs), what would you do if you ever got attacked by a vampire?
Brandon: Given their superhuman strength, I think fighting one off would prove to be futile. So maybe I’d try to negotiate a deal. For instance, ask him/her to change me as opposed to killing me. Or maybe only take a little bit of my blood.
Hellter: Seems like a reasonable request to me. Do you like horror films, if so, whats your favorite horror film of all time?
Brandon: Since getting over my fear of the dark as a child, horror has been one of my favorite movie genres. Some of my favorites include The Shining, Silence of the Lambs. More recently, I have enjoyed Cabin In the Woods and 28 Days Later. Also I found Ju-On, the Japanese version of The Grudge to be exceptionally terrifying.
Hellter: All good choices. I love Ju-on. Anything else you want to discuss?
Brandon: Fans can look forward to season three of From Dusk Till Dawn, as well as the upcoming feature film Bedeviled, which is currently in post-production. Also, the DC animated film Justice League vs. Teen Titans, which features me as the voice of Beast Boy, has just been released via digital download, so be sure to grab a copy ASAP (laugh). Thank you for having me today!
Hellter: Your very welcome! Right back atcha!
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