‘We no longer live under the shadow of Bruce Lee’
GMartial art movies were always passed off as B-level projects. Shang-Chi... has opened more opportunities for Asian talent. ANDY CHENG,
oofy, B-level, comedy — these terms have often been used to describe a film dominated by martial arts, but the definition is undergoing a change, feels Andy Cheng, fight coordinator in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
According to Cheng, there is also a lot more acceptance now for Asians and the global success of the latest Marvel movie only reinforces it. “A long time ago, we lived under the shadow of Bruce Lee, and the image he created. But not anymore,” Cheng tells us.
Talking about the positive impact of the film, dominated by Asian talent including Simu Liu and Awkwafina, which surpassed Black Widow as the highest-grossing film of 2021 and the pandemic in the US, the stuntman says, “The film opened doors for (right) Asian representation, showed that projects by us can come with good story telling. People watching the film are not only appreciating the comedy, but also the visuals and grandeur.”
For a lot of viewers, ShangChi... is like a tribute to actor Jackie Chan, who was known for his comic timing, and innovative stunts. Cheng, who has worked with Chan as a stunt double and assistant
stunt choreographer on projects such as Rush Hour (1998), Shanghai Noon (2000), and Mr Nice Guy (1997), says, “We knew that people would think about him by just looking at the stunts. It doesn’t matter what we do. It is unavoidable. He is a legend for all of us.”