Get used to saying it: Simu Liu is an Avenger. The Canadian actor, who immigrated from China when he was five years old, has become an overnight action star with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, receiving acclaim across the world for his breakout performance.
Shang-Chi firmly entrenches the actor in the next wave of the Marvel universe that will be leading the way for years to come, as actors such as Robert Downey Jr and Chris Evans say goodbye to their iconic roles.
Much like Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston before him, Liu will now go from no one knowing his name to children holding his action figure (a fact that, when we say it, makes Liu comment under his breath, “wow”.
On set, Liu threw himself into the role, overcoming mental health struggles in order to become the master of Kung Fu.
“I think going into this process, I was somebody that was intensely nervous and anxious, and wanted to prove to himself in the world that he could do it, that he was up for the challenge,” Liu tells Esquire Middle East.
“I think people felt that energy on set. I was very eager, but at the same time, I think I was just very, adamant to prove that I could do something. That’s definitely a sign, more than anything, of anxiety, whenever you see that trait in people, and I was no different,” says Liu.
Liu’s life is forever changed. It’s a fact he’s still getting used to.
So, now that the film is one of the biggest box office successes of the year, who is the new man that has come out the other side?
“I think what’s really changed after coming through on the other side is a sense of accomplishment as a performer and knowing that no longer have to prove that I can do it, because I did it. There’s a real sense of pride, a sense of accomplishment, and just kind of like self-satisfaction of being like, ‘I’m going to be okay’,” Liu says.
“Going into this first Hollywood role, having it be on this magnitude was a challenge for a lot of reasons, leave of which was it being one of the most action heavy movies in the MCU.”
The action was perhaps the most difficult part, as Liu was far from a martial arts master before they started filming.
“A lot of that action is done by real performers, rather than any sort of CGI. It was it was exhausting. there were a lot of grueling hours, ,but it was one of the most fulfilling experiences in my life, I learned so much and became more sure of myself as a person as a performer. And, yeah, it’s just joy to come through on the other side, and to be able to share it with the world now.”
“I remember some of those scenes I would just collapse on my bed at the end of the day because I was just so wiped.”
On set, the biggest joys were the moments he had with his co-stars, such as the Hong Kong cinema legend Tony Leung, who played his father, and Awkwafina, who played his best friend Katy.
“the joy is the people. it’s the moments that we share in between takes. Talking to Tony about his love of snowboarding, of board sports and water sports, being just so pleasantly surprised by the person behind the legend, and having such a kind and generous scene partner in him,” says Liu.
“Also, stealing moments with Nora and improvising with her while the tapes are rolling and letting the tapes roll along, because we’re having so much fun playing off of each other. So it’s really just these little moments.”
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in cinemas now across the Middle East
Esquire now has a newsletter – sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Esquire Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @esquiremiddleeast Instagram and Twitter account.
