Last week, Marvel released its first trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film centres on Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind after he is drawn into the mysterious Ten Rings organisation.
The film, which introduces Simu Liu as Marvel's first Asian superhero, is the 25th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and also the first to feature a predominantly Asian cast. Starring an impressive ensemble, some faces may be more familiar than others. Here's a look at who is in the movie and where you may know them from.
Simu Liu
Cast as the titular Shang-Chi, Simu Liu will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as its first Asian superhero. Born in China but having immigrated to Canada with his family at the age of five, Liu is most known for his work as Jung Kim on the award-winning hit show Kim's Convenience. The sitcom is about the Korean-American Kim family who own a convenience store in a Toronto neighbourhood.
Awkwafina
Comedian and actress Nora Lum, who also goes by her stage name Awkwafina, plays Shang-Chi's close friend Katy, who is unaware of his past. Lum has appeared in numerous films over the past couple of years including Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean's 8. However, she's won critics and audiences over with her lead performance in 2019's The Farewell. The film follows a Chinese-American family who, upon learning their grandmother has only a short while left to live, decide not to tell her and schedule a family gathering before she dies.
Tony Leung
Hong Kong actor Tony Leung will appear in his first American film after being cast as the The Mandarin, who also happens to be Shang-Chi's father and leader of the Ten Rings. However, before this, he has appeared in numerous films over his career in Asian film and television, including in Infernal Affairs (which was remade as The Departed) and In the Mood for Love which earned him a Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000.
Michelle Yeoh
The Malaysian actress is a familiar face on the scene as she's starred in many popular films over the years including Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Tomorrow Never Dies and Crazy Rich Asians. Yeoh plays Jiang Nan in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, although not much is known about her character or backstory yet.
Ronny Chieng
The Malaysian actor will play Jon Jon, a friend of Shang-Chi. However, little is known about the character's role in the film currently, but don't be surprised if it's a comic one. This film reunites Chieng with Awkwafina and Yeoh as all three were in Crazy Rich Asians. In addition to films, Chieng is most known for his stand-up comedy (and has his own Netflix special) as well as appearances as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
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