In a matter of days, plenty of new characters will join the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hits theaters. In the comics, the core of Shang-Chi’s arc is a family drama that sees the titular hero dealing with a narcissistic villain, Fu Manchu, who also happens to be the protagonist’s father. While Marvel dropped the Fu Manchu character, fans will see a similar, disappointing father portrayed by Tony Leung in Destin Daniel Cretton’s movie. Wenwu, the new character, hides behind the name of the Mandarin, also the leader of the Ten Rings.
“Frankly, I couldn’t imagine someone in the real world with superpowers,” Leung said while talking with GQ. “But I can imagine someone like him who is an underdog, who is a failure of a father. On the one hand, he’s a bad father, but on the other, I just see him as someone who loves his family deeply. I don’t think he knows how to love himself.”
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Leung’s upcoming role bears plenty of significance for him. As a child, he was abandoned by his father. And the event left a mark on the actor, so much so that he refused to portray a bad parent previously.
“Someone actually approached me to play the role of a failed father,” Leung added, “but I rejected it because I don’t want to be reminded of how my dad treated me.”
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings debuts in theaters on Sept. 3.
How do you think Tony Leung will fare as Wenwu? What do you expect from his character’s arc? Let us know in the comment section below!
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