WARNING: The following contains major spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, streaming now on Disney+.
Of all the characters introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, one of the most memorable is Xialing. Portrayed by Meng'er Zhang in her big-screen debut, Xialing is the younger sister of Simu Liu's Shang-Chi and cultivated a criminal empire in Macau. However, she's soon dragged back into the ongoing war between her brother and father, the villainous Wenwu. As Shang-Chi embraces his superhero destiny in the MCU, Xialing secretly takes control of the illicit Ten Rings organization.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Zhang shared how she approached her first film project and the lessons she learned from Shang-Chi. Zhang also praised the cast and crew for making the production so informative and teases where she wants Xialing to go next in the MCU.
Meng'er, this is your first major movie project, a Marvel movie. They're the biggest movies in the world and you get to be a superhero and Disney Princess all at once. How did you find the approach and voice for this character?
Meng'er Zhang: Actually, this is my very first film ever. I didn't know that I was auditioning for Shang-Chi. I saw a message in a group chat saying that they needed a girl who could speak Chinese and English at the same time. I sent my self-tapes, got a callback, and they flew me to do a screen test with Simu. That's when I found out I was auditioning for a Marvel film. [laughs]
I feel like there's a big difference between acting on-camera and acting on-stage, keeping the energy up take after take. What were some of the big lessons you learned?
I asked the same question to Sir Ben [Kingsley]. Working with him was like having a masterclass every day, just watching him. I asked him because he also has a theater background. He said, "When we are on stage, we are landscape artists. When we are in front of a camera, we're portrait artists." That really clearly made sense -- [that's] what it's like and it really helped me a lot.
Also, everyone helped so much on this film, [filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton] was also very patient with me and helped me to understand how the camera worked and everything. He's very clear with me about what he wants without giving me any pressure.T hat's so cool and just the best.
In addition to Sir Ben, you've got Michelle Yeoh, Yuen Wah, and Tony Leung, some of the biggest names not just in Hong Kong cinema but world cinema. How was it having them as co-stars?
Oh my god, again, it was like a masterclass and in the front row. Tony, has the best work ethic. He never went back to his trailer and never brought his phone to set. He was always quiet and sat there watching everything and being prepared. Also, his acting is so, so deep that I could watch his performance under a microscope -- so much detail is there, and Michelle too. She is such a unique person. She has a unique soul. Before working with her on this project, I thought she could be really serious because of all those characters she played before but, actually, no, she can be pretty goofy. She joked with us all the time and I really learned a lot.
With sets as elaborate and ornate as Ta Lo and that nightclub, how did that help you find your performance?
Oh my god, those sets are crazy!
Ta Lo, I thought there was a village here, but no, we built it from scratch. Everything there was real. There was a small farm with plants in there -- in a wide shot, you can see a small farm -- and I pulled out one [of the plants] and all them were real. They were real onions! They had that gorgeous temple and all those huts and every little hut on the inside. They're all real, like I can live there, it's just so cool!
The heart of this movie really is the family drama between Xialing and Shang-Chi and their father, Wenwu. Where do you think her head's at with her family or do you think she's still figuring it out?
Between Shang-Chi and Xialing, I think Xialing is the one more like their father, more like the power-hungry Wenwu. I think she's ambitious. We have all the Shang-Chi cut scenes that are in the Blu-ray, and one of the cut scenes is Shang-Chi apologizing to Xialing. That was a very emotional scene, but it's a good question if Xialing has really forgiven him.
I always saw those two siblings as the yin and yang, light and dark balancing each other out.
Yes, exactly!
Now that the movie has been out for over two months, where do you see Xialing's mind at the end of the film as she takes control of the Ten Rings?
I've read a lot of comments and posts from fans asking what's next for Xialing and I am as excited as everyone. I can't say anything for Marvel but, to me, I'm into this! I ask myself those questions every day: How did she train herself in her father's compound? How did she build a fight club in Macau? In the end credits scene, you can see her sitting on the throne with Razor Fist and Jon Jon standing by her side. She is now the new leader of the organization and it's still called the Ten Rings organization but, to me, what kind of Ten Rings organization is it without the actual Ten Rings? I think Xialing might want the rings. I think it will be cool. [laughs]
You really have a sisterly dynamic with Awkwafina's character. How quick and natural was it forming that?
It was really natural too because Nora really is the coolest girl I have ever met. She just makes you so relaxed but not when we're doing improv together because she's so quick with those ideas and I just couldn't catch up. She's really cool and I also learned so much from her. I don't know what they're planning but I hope -- I've been practicing my improvisation -- so I hope I can be better the next time when we're together. [laughs]
Directed and co-written by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is available to stream now on Disney+, to rent and buy on VOD platforms, and will be released on Blu-ray/4K UHD on Nov. 30.