Enterprising young actor Ryan Potter “can’t believe” he is part of the Disney family, and in such a huge way: he voices lead character Hiro in the new film Big Hero 6, Disney’s homage to Japanese manga and Marvel comics all in one. At such a young age, Ryan is thrilled with this role, and also has a producing credit under his belt. He took some time out of his busy schedule to talk Disney movies, animation, heroes and Hiro.
YOUNG ADULT: Hi Ryan! What has it been like being singled out to voice the lead character in Disney’s new Big Hero 6?
RYAN POTTER: It was surreal! I grew up infatuated with Disney animation, Marvel comic books, manga and anime and now I’m a part of that world – it’s crazy!
YA: What is Big Hero 6 about? If you could name your top 3 favorite things about this movie, what would they be?
RP: 1. The diversity of the characters…America is the melting pot, or so they say, so it was wonderful to see such a diverse group of characters where race or ethnicity was never an aspect of the story, it just was. 2. The characters’ “superhero” powers actually aren’t powers at all, but science. They are normal (albeit genius kids) who create their “powers” with their minds. It’s like no other super team! 3. Baymax and Hiro’s relationship. It reminds me so much of the relationship I have with my big brother. It really is touching.
YA: Talk to us about your character in the film, Hiro. What makes him different from other lead characters in animated films? And how do you most relate to him?
RP: Hiro is really just a kid who happens to have an incredibly large intellect. What’s so wonderful about this film is that all the characters are so wonderfully different, and I think the audience will be able to relate to at least one if not more than one in some way, shape or form. I don’t think Hiro differs necessarily from the rest of the cast; they are all different. Like Hiro, once I have my mind set on something, I put my whole heart and soul into it. Nothing can stop us!
YA: What were/are you most excited see on the big screen? What are you excited for the audience to see in the film? And what message are you hoping they take away?
RP: Everything! I still can’t believe I’m a part of the Disney family. I’m incredibly honored. I’m excited to see the audience connect with the characters. Whether they see a little of themselves in Honey Lemon, Wasabi, Hiro or even Baymax, they will be able to relate and experience something new. The film has a wonderful sense of family. I hope audiences everywhere see that family doesn’t necessarily have to be the one you were born into, but the one you create, and it can be just as amazing. It’s a wonderful message.
YA: What has it been like making the journey from Nickelodeon with Supah Ninjahs to Disney?
RP: Again—surreal! I have been so fortunate to be a part of both of these wonderful projects. Live action and animation are very different. However, I was able to use my experience from Supah Ninjas, especially the martial arts and stunts that I utilized, to bring Hiro to life. I threw myself around the recording studio and acted as if I was doing just as Hiro was in an effort to achieve realistic sounds and tones.
YA: How does animation differ from live action? What are some pros and cons?
RP: For this film, like I mentioned above, I really was trying to “act” out as much as I could to achieve realistic sounds and voice inflections, but in animation you’re really just in a booth for 6 hours talking to yourself – ha! It was nice to be able to do a line 4, 5, 10 times if I wanted to. Live action is much more fast-paced. You can’t do one line multiple times, there is so much to get done and so many people involved that it has to move relatively quickly. One is neither better or worse, just different.
YA: What was it that made you want to be an actor? Was there ever a specific scene from a film that has stuck with you to this day?
RP: What’s so funny, is that I really just fell into this world. The casting department at Nickelodeon happened to put a flyer up for Supah Ninjas auditions at my martial arts studio and I thought, “Hey, why not?” – the rest is history!
YA: Aside from Big Hero 6, what is your favorite animated film, and why?
RP: This is a really hard question, I have so many favorites. If I had to pick … Disney’s Treasure Planet – the story really resonated with me. I was able to connect with the lead character. Hayao Miyazaki’s My Neighbor Totoro – genius! It’s absolute genius!