Interview: Shang-Chi star Meng’er Zhang proves she’s the MCU’s next big thing

Marvel Studios is ready to welcome another hero into the MCU family. That’s Shang-Chi, who is getting his first solo movie in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. But there’s another breakthrough star in this movie who is well worth talking about: Meng’er Zhang.

Zhang is a Chinese theater and musical actress who is getting her big break in the movie business with this film. It’s a tall order for your very first on-screen to be in the MCU, but Meng’er Zhang pulls it off.

Zhang plays the stoic Xialing, Shang-Chi’s sister. She’s a bit of a rebel with a hard edge. But getting to chat with Zhang via Zoom, it’s clear that her real-life self is far from her Shang-Chi character. That’s just good acting!

Zhang’s bubbly spirit and enthusiasm for being in the MCU is electric. And she has many great stories to tell about her first on-screen acting experience, from landing the role to getting some big-time acting advice from Sir Ben Kinglsey himself. Watch the full video interview below, or read on for our Q&A with Shang Chi’s Meng’er Zhang.

Shang-Chi: Meng’er Zhang discusses joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe in her first on-screen role

WinterIsComing (Mia Johnson): So I want to talk to you about this movie because Shang-Chi is your first on-screen movie. That’s awesome. So what made you decide to get acting in movies? 

Meng’er Zhang: I didn’t even know I was auditioning for Shang-Chi — for a Marvel film. When I sent my self-tapes, I just saw an audition call in a group chat and that they needed a girl who can speak Chinese and English. So I thought, “Well, I can be that girl!” So I sent my self-tapes. And when I got a callback, when they flew me to do a screen test with [Simu Liu], I realized that, “Oh, wow, I was auditioning for Shang-Chi.”

Yeah, I didn’t know. And after five days of the screen test with Simu and with our director [Destin Daniel Cretton], I got a message from my lawyer. It’s a very long message. I didn’t read through, I just scrolled down to the very bottom, and I saw, “Welcome to the Marvel Universe.” I mean, yeah, that’s the moment!

That’s huge! Were you a big Marvel fan before this? Or did you have any favorite characters?

Of course! I’m a big Marvel fan. I watched all the Marvel films in theaters. And yes, I do have a favorite superhero. Ant-Man! Because you know, the idea of shrinking things so, so — I mean, if I can shrink things in real life, I would shrink my parents and put them in my pocket and take them everywhere without paying [for] flight tickets.

What was your parents’ reaction to hearing you got the role?

Well, believe it or not, I didn’t tell them when I got the message. Because, you know, I have to keep it a secret. Because it’s Marvel. So I guess I’m just really good at keeping big secrets! I didn’t tell them. And when I had to fly to film the film, I had to tell them.

So I told them that I’m doing a Marvel film. And they were like: “No! You are lying.” I said, “No!” And now, they have a lot of my action figures in our home. My dad, he literally bought all of them in the store. He just, like, put them in a shelf and just posed them in different poses. It was really cool!

I have to get one because, well, behind me is my bookshelf. [I lift my laptop to show her behind me.] So behind me, I have my bookshelf, and it has all the little characters from Marvel, like Thanos. So I need to put you up there now.

Yes, it put her in the family!

Yeah! So in your own words, how would you describe your character?

Xialing is a very, very special character. She has the tough, cold, unapproachable outside, but she also has the sensitive and vulnerable part deep down inside of her. She’s like a flower, can survive the coldest winter. And yeah, she’s a tough woman. She knows how to stand her ground and find her voice and use it. I think the world is gonna love her.

I think so too! And with this being your first movie role, what was the most helpful advice that someone gave you on set while making the film?

Oh, I’m so excited talking about it because I got to work with Sir Ben Kingsley, and he also has a stage background, a theater background. And this is my very first film. I didn’t have any camera experience before this. So I went to him and asked him, “What is the difference between stage acting and camera acting?”

And he said: “So when we perform on stage, we are landscape artists. And when we perform in front of a camera, we are portrait artists.”

I mean, it’s so beautiful. And I literally took notes. You know, I just, I took notes every time I asked him questions. I asked him so many questions, and he’s such a legend.

Yeah, his character was so surprising to me. Every line, I was just laughing and laughing!

I know!

Also, were there any surprises about working on a Marvel movie?

Yes. I mean, it’s Marvel Studios we’re talking about! And I remember one scene I did, it’s a stunt scene. And my makeup team, they were doing the final touch-up… on my hair. And someone came to me and [told] me that: “So later on, there will be some wind going on and some water, just a little bit. Just so you know.”

I said, “Okay, okay. Yeah, no problem. I’m ready!” So I got into my character, and I’m so ready. And “3, 2, 1, action!” And the wind was like whoosh! And the water is like– that’s not just a little. That’s very surprising! And I was all of a sudden [like], “Whoa. Wait, wait! Who am I again?” [Laughs.]

So what do you hope audiences will take from watching a movie like this that’s so special?

Yeah, it’s very special. I mean, it’s an amazing story about family. We poured a lot of love and heart and, of course, hard work into making it. And I think the audience will laugh with us, will cry with us. And when they go home, they will carry the warm feeling in their heart. And I think… also, it’s a film that everyone can relate to.

Yeah! So will you do any singing next time? Maybe bring back your musical theater experience?

I hope so! I hope I can get a chance to sing. That would be cool. Because we have a lot of amazing singers on this one. You know, Simu, he can sing. And Awkwafina, she’s an amazing rapper. And also, Benny. Wow, he has an amazing voice. And Destin, our director.

I love that!

I mean, we can really make a great band!

I love that! Yeah, I was taking a musical class just before the pandemic… so I would love to see that! 

Yes, let’s go karaoke together! [Laughs.]

Alright! Well, thank you. Is there anything else you wanted to share before we wrap up?

Well, I mean, we have the most complex villain in the whole Marvel Universe. Just come to the theaters and see it. You’re gonna love it!

Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opens in theaters only on Sept. 3.

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