Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Simu Liu and Don Lee are already big names in their respective home turfs but they are about to reach global blockbuster-level fame in two upcoming Marvel Studios' movies
Established Asia-based actors have slowly but surely been making inroads into the glittery Hollywood industry in recent past—witness Henry Golding in Crazy Rich Asians and Donnie Yen in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story—and this push for diversity and inclusivity is only intensifying with the much-anticipated release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Marvel Studios' first superhero movie with an all-Asian cast.
Then there's Eternals—also part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe—which is directed by Chloé Zhao who made history at the recent Golden Globes when she won the Best Director award. The diverse ensemble of actors include Salma Hayek, Gemma Chan and Kumail Nanjiani.
Among them are three Asian actors who are already famous names in their respective countries but making their major Hollywood debut in these Marvel movies. Expect them to hog headlines everywhere upon the movies' releases later this year.
Simu Liu
Before Simu Liu walked on stage at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2019 to announce he landed the titular role of Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the 31-year-old was best known for the acclaimed Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience (the first four seasons are currently streaming on Netflix). Liu was literally thrust into the limelight—he screen-tested for the part less than a week before this announcement.
Born in Harbin, China before emigrating to Canada with his parents when he was 5, Liu had previously worked as a stunt double and had acting roles in Orphan Black as well as Fresh Off The Boat. The UNICEF Canada ambassador will appear next in Arthur the King opposite Mark Wahlberg.