Ruby the elephant asks for a story. So, Ivan the gorilla tells her one.

“Once there was a baby elephant,” says Ivan, “and she needed to live in the wild where she could be free.” Ruby can’t wait for the ending. She asks Ivan, “Does the baby elephant get to be free?”

Brooklynn Prince voices that curious elephant in a new movie called The One and Only Ivan. The young actress worked alongside famous actors. Those include Angelina Jolie and Danny DeVito. In the film, Ivan, Ruby, and other friends are a part of a circus. But they want a taste of freedom, so the adventure begins!

The new movie is based on a kids’ book by Katherine Applegate and is set to hit screens on August 21. Fans can watch on Disney’s streaming service, Disney Plus. Before the big release, Brooklynn (BP) told News-O-Matic (NOM) all about the wild film!

NOM: What is your name and age? What character do you play?
BP: I’m Brooklynn Kimberly Prince! I am 10 years old. I play Ruby. She is so cute! I almost died of cuteness.

NOM: What made you want to be in this movie?
BP: Well, I read the book before I read the script. I just loved Ruby. The movie has strong messages of keeping your promises, love, and friendship. And it was a Disney movie! Is there a perfecter movie? I don’t know if perfecter is a word…

NOM: It’s not! But we can make it a word.
BP: Yes!

NOM: What was it like to voice an elephant? Did you research the role?
BP: No, but I got in the mood with an elephant onesie! Angelina Jolie and I both rocked elephant onesies in the recording booth. It was so fun. That got me into character. I remember getting in the mind frame like, “OK, you are a baby elephant.”

NOM: What was it like to do this movie compared with other movies?
BP: Well, this was my first animated movie. It was super-weird. You’re acting, but you have to say something over-the-top to make it sound real. It was kind of hard at first, but I got the hang of it. If I wanted to sound playful, I would do a hand gesture. Body movement helps a lot with voice acting.

NOM: What was it like to work with the older stars of the film?
BP: Danny DeVito is like an uncle to me! We share stories. I was about to go to South Africa and he was like: “Brooklynn, I went to South Africa. It is absolutely beautiful there. But don’t step on any scorpions!”

And Angie (Angelina Jolie) — we became, like, the elephant duo. I looked up to her. She was the sweet female elephant. She was so strong.

And Sam Rockwell lassoed me in a parking lot! I said “Sam, can you lasso me?” I stood there and he lassoed me!

We all had a lot of fun.

NOM: What made you want to be an actor?
BP: When I was 2, I would put on dress-up clothes and act very sophisticated, or like a fancy person on a red carpet! I would put on plays or sing for people. I was just so creative. Even now, I go in my mom’s closet and put on high heels and a wig. Acting was something that came naturally to me.

NOM: Do you have any advice for kids your age?
BP: If you want to pursue your dream, work hard for it. You will get there if you work hard! And it may take time, but if you put that blood, sweat, and tears into it, it will pay you back in the end.

Updated August 20, 2020, 5:02 P.M. (ET)
By Alexa Tirapelli