Simu Liu Says ‘Shang-Chi’ Is ‘Truly Going To Change The World’
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings lead Simu Liu was beaming with excitement and pride as he posed on Hollywood’s red carpet for the world premiere of Marvel Studios’ first Asian-led superhero film.
Hours before Monday night’s (August 16) red carpet, Liu, 32, tweeted to his followers, “It’s PREMIERE DAY!!!!!!! Ask me a question so I don’t start to fixate on the nerves and the anxiety and the insecurity. I’ll answer them throughout my day as I’m getting ready..”
It’s PREMIERE DAY!!!!!!!
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 16, 2021
Ask me a question so I don’t start to fixate on the nerves and the anxiety and the insecurity. I’ll answer them throughout my day as I’m getting ready.
One fan asked if the Kim’s Convenience actor likes to play any type of sports, to which Liu hilariously replied, “My favorite sport is disappointing my parents, it’s like I was born with this god-given talent.”
My favourite sport is disappointing my parents, it’s like I was born with this god-given talent
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 16, 2021
Another fan asked what Liu’s reaction was when he found out he was going to star in a Marvel movie, to which Liu said, “Imagining what my secret handshake with Anthony Mackie would look like.”
Imagining what my secret handshake with Anthony Mackie would look like
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 16, 2021
“What’s the first martial art you studied?” asked another. “The art of lying to your parents so you could stay late after school to hang out with your crush,” Liu replied.
The art of lying to your parents so you could stay late after school to hang out with your crush
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 16, 2021
Liu told Variety of his Marvel debut and the pressures coming with it, “No pressure, right? It’s such an incredible honor. And I hope that it’s not the last.”
“Because we’ve been celebrating a lot of firsts in our community — when Crazy Rich Asians came out three years ago, we celebrated that as the first studio movie with a predominantly Asian cast in almost 25 years,” Liu continued. “I’m looking forward to the moment where we no longer celebrate firsts. We’re celebrating seconds, and thirds, and fourths, and fifths. So I’ll take this moment for what it is. It is absolutely that watershed moment. … But I hope that there are many more just like it afterwards.”
Liu famously won the role of Shang-Chi after cheekily tweeting to Marvel in 2018 about the part. “OK @Marvel, are we gonna talk or what #ShangChi,” he wrote. Shang-Chi wasn’t even read by studio executives until after he’d already landed the role.
OK @Marvel, are we gonna talk or what #ShangChi
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) December 3, 2018
Over the weekend, Disney CEO Bob Chapek called Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings an “interesting experiment” on a recent earnings call with investors. He was referring to the fact that the film will be in theaters for just 45 days before being available on Disney+.
Simu Liu took offense to Chapek’s choice of words, publicly addressing his statement on Instagram writing, “We are not an ‘interesting experiment.’ We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year. We are the surprise. I’m fired the f— up to make history on September 3rd; JOIN US.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/CSjIQxClJlN/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
On the red carpet, Liu explained why he posted the message, saying that he just wanted people to know how “fired up” he was for the movie. “It’s been a tough, tough time for everybody,” Liu said. “And, I think sometimes it’s just so important to get messaging through that’s just emotional. It’s raw. And it just shows the world just how much I, and we all, believe in this movie and how incredible it’s going to be. It’s truly going to change the world.”
Liu continued, “It is a celebration of culture. It’s a celebration of coming of age. It’s also, by the way, got some of the most incredible action sequences you’ve ever seen.” And because his superhero doesn’t wear a mask, armor or a cape, Liu notes, “What you see is what you get.”
Well that was really something.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 17, 2021
Following the movie’s premiere, Liu took to Twitter writing, “Well that was really something” and “Truly a wonderful night that I will remember forever. My heart is filled with gratitude. I can’t wait for you guys to watch!!”
Truly a wonderful night that I will remember forever. My heart is filled with gratitude. I can’t wait for you guys to watch!!
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) August 17, 2021
He also posted photos on his Instagram with his parents and castmates writing, “A perfect night surrounded by friends and family. Our two-year journey has culminated in a moment of triumph and celebration.”
He added, “Thank you for all of your support, and thank you for letting us entertain you. Make history with us on September 3rd and I’ll see you (safely) in theatres!”
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