Jean Yoon and Paul Sun-Hyung Lee are thrilled for their “Kim’s Convenience” co-star Simu Liu, who has been cast as Marvel’s first Chinese superhero.
In an announcement at 2019 Comic-Con International in San Diego on Saturday, it was announced that the 30-year-old Canadian actor will take on the leading role in the upcoming fantasy film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”.
Related: Canadian Simu Liu To Star In Marvel Film ‘Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings’
Speaking with ET Canada on the season 4 set of “Kim’s Convenience” in Toronto, Yoon and Lee shared their excitement for their co-star’s big, new role.
“Simu has [always] wanted to be a Marvel superhero — and everybody knows it,” Yoon recalls. “He’s been tweeting it out. He’s been keeping his eye on it. And he’s been essentially preparing for it forever.”
In fact, way back in 2014, Lee tweeted at Marvel asking them to bring forward an Asian-American superhero. And just over five years later, the actor responded to his tweet, writing, “LOL.”
Recalling a time during the filming of season 1 when Liu did a back somersault on parking lot concrete “in his flip flops,” Yoon adds, “He’s incredibly fit. He can do the fighting stuff. And he’s matured as an actor, so it’s great.”
Sharing his excitement, Lee contends, “Doing this show is like a dream come true — and to see a castmate get an opportunity to fulfill his dreams — and he’s wanted to do this for so long. I’m so happy. We see that and it’s a testament to the set too. Everybody’s pulling for him and he’s just going to crush it.”
Related: Taron Egerton Reveals The Truth Behind Those ‘Wolverine’ Rumours
Yoon reveals that her son is particularly thrilled to see a Chinese leading man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, saying, “My son already is really excited about it — just the idea of seeing an Asian hero.”
Lee continues, “And Simu’s always been an advocate for representation and diversity — and now, there he is front and centre. He’s going to be fantastic.”
