Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Simu Liu may be well - known for his role in the popular Canadian idiot box seriesKim ’s Convenience , but he ’ll soon be known for so much more . Simu is the first Canadian ambassador for Old Spice ( yes , thoseawesome ads ) and more significantly , he ’s at the pith of the hereafter of the Marvel Cinematic Universe .
Liu , born in China and raised in Canada since he was 5 , is the titular hotshot ofShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings . The prospicient - awaitedShang - Chiadaptation introduction in 2021 as part ofPhase 4of the MCU , and it ’s the first movie in a while to introduce a raw solo lineament - and the first movie ever from Marvel to usher in an Asiatic lead . Itbegins productionthis calendar month in Australia .
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A few weeks ago I hopped on the earphone with Simu to talk about all happening since stepping out on stage at Comic - Con International this summertime where his front felt worth enough for his quality toreplace Captain America . He could n’t quite speak to the topic of speaking Mandarin ( although in previous interviews Simu did talk about practicing up on the spoken communication ) inShang - Chi , or the personality of the character , and he especially could n’t talk about the costume … but we did get some fun enquiry in .
At that point , I did n’t know it was Old Spice . I was kind of like , “ Oh , I do n’t know . ” I had just lost out on this big part , and I do n’t really care about any commercial-grade right now . But then they severalise me it was Old Spice , and I was like , “ Oh ! ” I totally did a one - eighty because I know what the what the brand is all about , and I love their take on how they go up marketing . You eff , just it ’s so refreshing , and it ’s have such a distinct tone . Kind of ridiculous , but also kind of smart about it at the same clock time .
Even from the beginning , I knew that was going to be a really great partnership . A few weeks later , I was in Montreal , fritter away a couple of digital spots that I call back were dead hilarious . Everything that we put out afterwards – first of all , not only is it odd , but it ’s something that I experience like I have ownership over , because they ’re very open to my feedback and my idea as well . So really , you know , it ’s the best possible kind of partnership .
That ’s awful . Does taking on the MCU part affect what you ’re capable to do with that going forth ? Or if there ’s another season ofKim ’s Convenience , do they interfere with each other at all ?
Simu Liu : Our producers at Kim ’s were very , very expert about cut up out some time so that I could do both . I can say for sure , if we go to a fifth time of year , I will decidedly be back .
The show has meant a great deal to me . It ’s given me everything in term of my quick opportunities , and even just the experience and tools to be able to take the air into that tryout for Marvel with the confidence that I could execute the spectacular and the comedic feats .
Our producers on that show are fantastic . And , yeah , I ’m very happy to be able-bodied to go back .
That ’s really cool . What you say kind of bring me to my next peak . I was at San Diego Comic - Con with my squad , and I was lucky enough that Disney gave me a special seat for the Hall H panel where you infamously come in on point and did an amazing intro , the good of the show .
Simu Liu : Oh , give thanks you . Thank you .
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It really was . You said it yourself : you ’re the first next newtitlecharacter . It means so much for the franchise , the character , and diversity which is so much required and welcome right now . But I wanted to call for you about the humorous side of it , because you cite balancing drama and comedy . Your Twitter report has always been amazing , and you ’ve been a womb-to-tomb rooter of Marvel . When use up a role like this , are you hoping that your personality will smooth through to the part of Shang - Chi or are you excited about playing a character who might be quite a second unlike than you are in tangible life ?
Simu Liu : You hump , I in all likelihood ca n’t speak to what the character will be like . But I jazz my director is fantastic , and I ’m trust him . If he want me to go any which means , I will be ready and uncoerced to come after him , and I ’m positive that I ’ll have the skills to .
whole . I do n’t know how former this begin , but are you already prepping for the when it fare to the physical martial art side of it ? Or practicing Mandarin , that variety of stuff and nonsense ?
Simu Liu : We ’re prepping in all mode up until the minute that we start shooting . It speaks to how badly all of us , and most of all myself , take this opportunity . You cognise , it ’s not every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. that you get to run an MCU flick . It ’s something , of trend , neither I nor anybody else in my position would take light at all .
What Marvel Movie is Simu Looking Forward to Watching Himself?
Yeah , I get it . You were a devotee of this from the beginning , like me , reading comics and growing up loving superheroes . When you ’re on degree , you ’re amongst so many other iconic character or characters - to - be . What are you in person most excited for from the other clobber that ’s coming ?
Simu Liu : Oh , human . That ’s so tough . I ’m a self-aggrandising Taika devotee , even before he did Ragnarok . You know , Hunt for the Wilderpeoplewas a cracking movie that I thoroughly enjoyed . I be intimate his filmmaking style , and after having gotten the chance to suffer him , I bang his vivacious personality even more .
So , you be intimate , just as a devotee of his , I can not wait to see Thor : Love and Thunder . And they ’re in reality shooting back - to - back with us , in Sydney . They ’re moving into our studio blank literally as presently as we finish , so that ’ll be really coolheaded . Hopefully , we ’ll get to hang out a little bit .
I hope you get some free time to research , because we visited the set of Ragnarok when Taika was doing that , and we ’ve been to Wellington for a bunch of film stuff and nonsense . It ’s such an amazing place ; I can see why Mr. Hemsworth really wanted to make that movie right in his backyard .
Simu Liu : Yeah , totally . Totally .
I have some very quick , speedy fire questions from the team and some devotee . First : can you purloin some Raptors gear into the movie ?
Simu Liu : Oh , military man . I would love to . I would love to . I ’m not gon na say a hard no . I reckon it would be very , very difficult , but it wo n’t be for lack of trying .
Will you sing in the movie ?
Simu Liu : Ooh . Mmm … Again , I ’m exit to provide it . Whether they decide to keep it or not , that ’s a totally unlike story .
I do n’t have sex if you’re able to say anything about this , but have you seen the costume ?
Simu Liu : No gossip .
For Fun: Why is Hawkeye the best Avenger?
Alright , last question . Why is Hawkeye the best Avenger ?
Simu Liu : Hawkeye is the skillful retaliator because he does not rely on superpowers or extraordinary ability . He is mortal , and he stares down death every single day that he turn . In a way that Thor does n’t . Because Thor is immortal . You ca n’t kill Thor ; you could very easy down Hawkeye .
So , just the fact that he has the courage to stand up in front of people like Thanos , like Ultron , like a Chitauri army – that takes balls . Especially for a entirely regular human being who is basically shooting with 11 bullet at any given clip .
You ’re verbalise my language , Simu . This is what I wanted to find out from you . Congrats again ; it ’s such an awesome affair to see you to get this role .
Simu Liu : I apprize that , give thanks you .
Update : Weeks after we talk on the phone I randomly adjoin up with Simu in - person at LAX airport where we were both fly home to Toronto . Small humankind !
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