NOW ON PARAMOUNT+! The Tiger’s Apprentice is directed by Raman Hui, Yong Duk Jhun, and Paul Watling and written by David Magee and Christopher L. Yost, based on Laurence Yep’s book. The film begins during the Lunar New Year in 2009. Grandmother (Kheng Hua Tan) drives her toddler grandson, Tom (Brandon Soo Hoo), to see the fireworks. With the backdrop of the Hong Kong skyline illuminated by fireworks, shadowy monsters attack the two travelers. Grandma defends Tom and calls upon the creatures of the Chinese Zodiac to defeat the evil witch, Loo (Michelle Yeoh). The battle’s conclusion is shrouded in mystery as our story picks up 15 years later in the heart of San Francisco.
L-R Sherry Cola as Naomi, Sandra Oh as Mistral, Bowen Yang as Sidney, Henry Golding as Hu and Brandon Soo Hoo as Tom in The Tiger’s Apprentice, streaming on Paramount+, 2024. Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures/Paramount+.
“Tom discovers he is now the sacred guardian of the Phoenix, a mythic gem with the power of creation…”
Tom is now a quippy high school student. He quickly befriends new student Räv (Leah Lewis) just before having a run-in with the school bully. Next thing Tom knows, he blasts the bully through the ceiling with magic powers. Tom has no idea what is happening. The two fast friends skate to Tom’s grandmother’s, bonding over life and family while he hopes to hide the black eye the bully gave him. Before he can fully tell the story of his magic awakening, Tom meets Hu (Henry Goulding), an old friend of his Grandmother’s who is very concerned about Tom’s new gift.
Just when the “your special/the chosen one” conversation begins, Loo attacks, leaving Tom without his Grandma and in the care of Hu. Tom discovers he is now the sacred guardian of the Phoenix, a mythic gem with the power of creation and destruction. The adventure begins as Tom and Hu enter the world of ancient magic hidden beneath the surface of everyday life. Together, under dire circumstances, the two attempt to make the best of their new master and apprentice relationship despite more than a few personality differences. As training proves difficult and Loo becomes more powerful, Tom must rally the members of the Chinese Zodiac to protect the Phoenix and save the world.