Simu Liu Was ‘Really Nervous’ While Filming Marvel’s Shang-Chi Fight Scene With Michelle Yeoh

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As an ardent fan who has been following Simu Liu’s journey since his days on Kim’s Convenience, it’s nothing short of exhilarating to witness him grace the Marvel universe as Shang-Chi. The release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings last year was a pivotal moment for Asian representation in Hollywood, and I couldn’t be more proud.

Simu Liu, known for his role in Kim’s Convenience, stepped into the Marvel Universe for the first time in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. This movie brought a fresh perspective to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) by introducing its first Chinese leading superhero. Released in 2021, Shang-Chi is set to continue its story with a sequel, with Liu returning as the main character and exploring more of the mystique behind the Ten Rings. However, looking back on the original film, Liu revealed that he was quite anxious while performing action scenes alongside the esteemed actress Michelle Yeoh.

At a recent Fan Expo Canada panel, Liu spoke about his time on the movie set, sharing some personal insights. This 35-year-old actor admitted to feeling nervous but still relished the chance to act alongside an Oscar winner. He described their shared scenes, particularly the fights, as more of a dance-like encounter, according to CBR.

The actor admitted feeling nervous during a scene with his “petite and graceful” co-star. He described himself as a “big clumsy chunk of meat just flopping around” compared to Yeoh, who is also known for her martial arts skills and doing stunt work in most of her films. However, he realized that the scene’s purpose was to establish a contrast between his clumsiness and her grace. “She’s trying to kind of teach me to find harmony with my body, and it’s very Tai Chi oriented,” the actor shared. 

1. She helps him learn to align himself with his body, creating a fluid movement as she gently leads him through the process, even during his stumbles. Additionally, Liu mentioned that he didn’t need much effort to slip into character because the scene felt organic and appropriate for it. He also praised his co-star for making it easy for him to get in the zone, and noted that Yeoh is an exceptional individual to work with.

Regarding Shang-Chi 2, Liu has confirmed to PTI that the film will indeed be made. Beyond this confirmation, he hasn’t revealed much as discussing details is “not within my responsibilities.” However, he is eager to contribute to the project and hinted that it will be fantastic, though he can’t disclose any more information than that.

Liu, who has recently been seen in Amazon’s Jackpot alongside John Cena and Awkwafina, their co-star from Shang-Chi, expressed optimism about Yeoh potentially reprising her role in the Shang-Chi sequel despite some ambiguity. Speaking to Collider, he praised his fellow actor, saying, “She’s at the pinnacle of success and truly the queen of everything.” He is hopeful that Marvel Studios will be able to accommodate Yeoh, who is 62 years old.

Despite Liu’s confirmation about Shang-Chi 2, Marvel Studios has not yet provided details on production or cast updates. The initial film features Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Yuen Wah, Ben Kingsley, and Tony Leung. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton from a screenplay penned by Dave Callaham, Andrew Lanham, and the director himself, the 2021 movie was its debut.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is available to stream on Disney+.

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2024-08-29 10:23