Michelle Yeoh, who starred in Crazy Rich Asians as well as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, may soon reconnect with director Destin Daniel Cretton for Disney’s forthcoming fantasy series, American Born Chinese, based on a graphic novel adaptation.
As per Deadline, she will play Guanyin, a quiet auntie who helps her nephew Wei-Chen negotiate the rigours of American high school while concealing her true identity as the all-powerful Buddhist bodhisattva of Compassion.
Michelle Yeoh will co-star alongside Ben Wang (MacGyver), Yeo Yann Yann (Wet Season), Chin Han (Mortal Kombat), Daniel Wu (Reminiscence), Ke Huy Quan (Finding Ohana), professional martial artist and former Taekwondo champion Jim Liu, and Sydney Taylor in the film (Just Add Magic).
The forthcoming fantasy series focuses on Gene Luen Yang’s graphic novel of the same name, which he will also executive produce alongside Asher Goldstein, director Destin Daniel Cretton, and others. Erin O’Malley, Daniel Cretton, Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan Kelvin Yu, an Emmy-winning writer-producer who also acts as showrunner, has adapted the series for television. The series will begin filming in Los Angeles later this month. There are currently no details on a release date.
Michelle Yeoh is well recognised for her part in John Chu’s comedy-drama Crazy Rich Asians, in which she portrayed Eleanor Young, the matriarch. She also played Jiang Nan in Marvel’s smash Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
The 59-year-old actress is now working on a number of projects, including the next four Avatar sequels and voice work for Minions: The Rise of Gru. She’ll also appear in The School for Good and Evil, a Netflix fantasy film, as well as The Witcher: Blood Origin, a prequel miniseries.
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