GR: The action sequences in Shang-Chi are brilliant. Simu took me out for a cheat meal, fried chicken and barbecue, and it became our tradition. Three days later, my arms and legs were so sore and I just wanted fried chicken. I will check on you after a week to see how you’re doing.”. At that moment Simu had already started his training and he was like, “this is your first day, so you are excited. We had personal trainers to teach us MMA and tai chi and we were given specific meal plans. I remember the first day I started my training, and I was like “wow, it’s so cool!”. You could really hear Simu and I screaming in the stunts stage. So, they trained me for four months and it was really intense. I didn’t have any martial arts background before. GR: How was the experience of the entire filming process? That’s when I found out that I was auditioning for a Marvel film. They flew me in to do a screen test with Simu. So, I sent my tapes and I got a callback. And I thought to myself that I could be that girl.
In the call, it just said that it’s a feature film and they needed someone who could speak Chinese and English. I didn’t even know that it was a Marvel film. Meng’er Zhang: I just saw an audition call in a group chat. How did you first react when you found out that you were going to be in Shang-Chi ? Game Rant: The MCU is probably the best way to kick off your Hollywood career. Zhang is forever grateful for being a part of changing the MCU’s history, especially as she has been told by many young Asian girls that Xialing has changed their perspective and made them more independent. Not only did Shang-Chi introduce the MCU’s first Asian superhero, but also gave female characters, who were also of Asian origin, a chance to shine.
The biggest takeaway from the film for Zhang is being able to represent Asian culture in mainstream media. RELATED: Spider-Man: No Way Home - How Green Goblin Relates To Mysterio Being cast in a Marvel film, working alongside some extremely versatile actors, and meeting her spouse on set, Shang-Chi was definitely a life-changing experience for Zhang, one that she holds very close to her heart. Only after she had made the cut and was asked to fly in to read lines with Simu Liu did Zhang realize what role she had managed to land. When she first sent in her audition tapes for Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Zhang wasn’t even aware that it was for an MCU project. Just before the film’s home release, Meng’er Zhang, who played a crucial role in the film, sat down to chat with Game Rant about the film, her character Xialing’s future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the film’s lasting impact on diversity in Hollywood. Two months after its theatrical release, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is arriving on Blu-ray and DVD on November 30.