Simu Liu and Awkwafina: Marvel’s “Shang-Chi” is particularly important

With “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” the 25th blockbuster from the Marvel comic film forge starts in German cinemas on September 2nd. In it, Shaun (Simu Liu, 32) alias Shang-Chi suddenly has to face the past after years away from his home country China, after he and his sister Xialing (Meng’er Zhang) become the target of the terrorist organization Ten Rings. His work colleague Katy (Awkwafina, 33) falls from the clouds when she finds out that her reluctant best friend is actually a superhero and martial arts artist.

In the important roles of the cinema adventure, actors with Asian roots can be seen almost exclusively, in addition to Liu, Zhang and Awkwafina (“The Farewell”) also Fala Chen (39), Benedict Wong (51, “Doctor Strange”), Michelle Yeoh (59 , “Crazy Rich”) and Tony Leung (59). Shooting star Simu Liu and Golden Globe winner Awkwafina reveal in an interview with the news agency spot on news why the “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” are so important. In addition, the two stars talk about their favorite Marvel superheroes and the collaboration with a real Hollywood legend who makes for a lot of joke in the film: Oscar winner Sir Ben Kingsley (77, “Gandhi”).

Congratulations on entering the Marvel Universe! How does it feel to be part of such a select group?

Awkwafina: Very exciting and really cool! I’m very grateful.

Do you both have a favorite superhero?

Awkwafina: I like Wanda (Maximoff aka Scarlet Witch) a lot. Surprisingly, my favorite is not Shang-Chi!

Simu Liu: I’m a huge Thor fan, Asgard is just really cool. I’m also a fan of the Black Panther and I love Spider-Man. There are so many great films out there. I didn’t even know the Guardians of the Galaxy before, but then I watched the movie and became obsessed with them. There are so many great heroes and origin stories out there and I was a huge comic book fan as a boy. So now that I’m playing the lead in my own superhero film, a real childhood dream is coming true. It’s a special feeling.

In “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” you portray the first Asian Marvel superhero, Mr. Liu. What does the role mean to you personally?

Liu: First of all, I think Wong (Doctor Strange’s valet, editor’s note) would have something to say about me being called the first Asian superhero. He would probably be very upset and a little hurt too. But of course we play in the first Marvel superhero film with Asians in the lead roles and that has a special meaning.

Concerning the representation of Asians.

Liu: Yeah. It’s an incredible honor and feels like we can give the world something new, fresh and exciting. It feels like we can give the gift to millions of people around the world to be represented in a new way. I hope that (people of Asian origin) everywhere feel a kind of pride when they see themselves represented – and that children of (Asian people) develop the belief that they too can be superheroes.

Awkwafina: Every story that puts a previously underrepresented group in the spotlight and presents it in a culturally authentic way makes a certain contribution – and not just in terms of how we perceive ourselves, but how we are perceived by the world. Stories that testify that we exist and that there should be superheroes who look like us and with whom we have something in common. The process of equal representation of various cultural groups continues and these films depict this in the broadest sense.

Was that why you wanted to be part of Destin Daniel Cretton’s film – to actively promote this increased representation?

Awkwafina: Well, when it comes to deciding for or against a job, a lot more plays a role. I really like the plot and the character, and Destin approached an existing superhero in an interesting way. So primarily I just liked the project as such.

Film icon Sir Ben Kingsley also appears as Trevor in the film. How did it feel to work with him and did you learn a lot from him?

Liu: He’s a masterful actor – a master of his art, his instrument, his body and his voice. When you have someone of this caliber around you, you realize how much work you have to do to get there. But it’s also encouraging and inspiring because you want to work harder to reach your level. It wasn’t just the daily work with Sir Ben (Kingsley) that made me feel this way, but also the work with Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh. They are legends in their own way and fantastic at what they do. I was like a sponge trying to soak up something from everyone: knowledge, experience, and so on. I’ve definitely gotten a better actor and they’ve all been very noble, generous, and patient with me.

Awkwafina: But working with Sir Ben Kingsley was just an incredible honor. He’s such an outstanding and powerful actor and he’s hilarious in the film too.

Is it just as funny in private as it is on screen?

Awkwafina: Yes, very funny and very intelligent. We had some wonderful conversations with each other.

You are both best friends in the film. Did you get along just as well in private and what do you particularly like about each other?

Liu: I like how funny (awkwafina) is. We sit together and her brain just works so fast, she picks up everything and is so, so funny. It’s just fun to have with you. With us, the chemistry was right from the start, which is why I got the role in the first place, because my final screen test was with her by my side. Plus, this fact makes our film friendship seem so strong, seamless, and natural.

Awkwafina: We got on well, both professionally and privately. But it’s also easy to get along with Simu because he’s just a nice guy. We had a lot of fun filming, there was a lot to laugh about and a lot of improvisation. Every single day has been a real pleasure.