Malaysian born actor Henry Golding, known for his role in Crazy Rich Asians, will take on a different sort of performance challenge voicing the feline lead in Paramount Animation’s adaptation of the Laurence Yep kids’ book The Tiger’s Apprentice, planned for a February 11, 2022 release. Golding is also set to head Paramount’s G.I. Joe franchise relaunch, Snake Eyes (Oct. 23).

The Tiger’s Apprentice will be the feature directorial debut of Carlos Baena, whose multi-award-winning animated horror short La Noria has been wowing international film festivals since its debut in 2018. As an animator, Baena’s credits include Pixar’s Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars, Ratatouille, WALL-E and Toy Story 3, and DreamWorks’ Monsters University.

Published by HarperCollins in 2003, the book introduces young readers to Tom Lee: A boy whose normal life in San Francisco is changed forever when he meets a talking tiger named Mr. Hu (Golding) and discovers he is the latest in a long line of magical Guardians. Yep is a two-time Newbery Honor recipient for his Golden Mountain Chronicles collection. The Tiger’s Apprentice was followed by Tiger Blood and Tiger Magic.

Writers are David Magee (Life of Pi, Mary Poppins Returns, upcoming live-action remake of Disney’s The Little Mermaid), Harry Cripps (The Magic Pudding) and Kyle Jarrow (The SpongeBob Musical: Live on Stage!).