We spoke to Ronny Chieng about his recent success and found out some of his Malaysian favs!
Following the success of Crazy Rich Asians, Asian people from all over the world can rejoice again for Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU’s) first Asian-led movie, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings which has finally hit the silver screen!
The star-studded cast includes famous names such as Simu Liu, Awkwafina (real name Nora Lum), Ben Kingsley (real name Krishna Pandit Bhanji) and Malaysian-born Michelle Yeoh and Ronny Chieng!
Ronny, who made a name for himself as a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, will be playing Jon Jon; the right-hand man of Shang-Chi’s sister, Xialing, at the Golden Dagger’s Club.
It’s not every day that you hear about Malaysians being in a Marvel movie and so when WORLD OF BUZZ had the privilege of having a chat with Johor-born comedian Ronny Chieng, we were SUPER STOKED, to say the least.
We spoke to Ronny about being a part of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and of course, we had to ask him some Malaysian-only questions.
WOB: What was your first reaction when you heard that you were going to be part of the MCU?
Ronny: I was blown away, I couldn’t believe it. I was so excited, I didn’t even care what it was, I would have gone and swept the floor. Whatever they asked me to do, I was in there. Because, I’m just a big fan, a big fan of all their movies, the way they do things, and that kind of big-budget action movies, heart and authentic storytelling. Not many people can do it. That’s why they are who they are, and working with them has really confirmed that they are that good, in their personal dealings, their creative choices, everything. So, I’m excited to be a part of that organisation.
WOB: Who is your all-time favourite superhero and why?
Ronny: Keluang Man, because he’s from Johor Bahru. Kampung represent!
WOB: Assuming Malaysia is the setting for an MCU film, and Ronny Chieng is the lead character, what is your superpower?
Ronny: My superpower in Malaysia? It better be like, climate control. Let’s get the humidity down and the temperature down a bit in Malaysia.
WOB: What advice would you give Malaysian youths who want to become Ronny Chieng someday?
Ronny: I can’t believe that exists, people who would want that. I would say, don’t, you definitely don’t want to be me. You would want to go and be yourself. Go find the best version of yourself to strive towards. You don’t want to be someone else. That’s a recipe for unhappiness.
WOB: Do you have anything to say to your fans here in Malaysia?
Ronny: Saya harap semua orang di sana sihat (I hope everyone there is well), everybody takes care and I hope everyone out there stays safe.
And for all of you who are wondering, what would Ronny’s first meal be if he ever returns to Malaysia, he said, “Char Kuey Teow, all day, every day“.
So, there you have it, folks. Ronny may be making it HUGE in Hollywood but he’s clearly still very Malaysian at heart and we cannot wait to see him as Jon Jon in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and what may be in store for him in the future.
Marvel Studios’ “Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings” star Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.
Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be hitting Malaysian cinemas starting October 7.
You can check out our interview with Ronny here:
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comment section.
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