;ve got this great show called Loki, and there’s a role that we would love for you to do. We’re thinking about Ouroboros,” I was driving at that time, and I said, “Kevin, can you please give me a few seconds?” My eyes started welling up, and I couldn’t see the road while I was driving, so I had to pull over and park my car. And then I said, “Kevin, please continue.” I was just overwhelmed with emotion because this was a dream come true. I was getting to have an opportunity to work with the man that I met 23 years ago, and knowing his success and how much of a fan he is of the Marvel Universe, I knew that it was going to be something special.
So, I’m really grateful that they gave me this opportunity to play Ouroboros and to be a part of the Disney family. It’s been such a whirlwind, and they’re such a positive, fantastic group of people, and they really understand and love their characters and care about them. And I’m thankful that they have given us the opportunity to play these unique characters and to say that they’re a part of their universe. It’s amazing.
As an actor and a person, did you feel like Ouroboros spoke to you in any way?
I definitely relate to Ouroboros on some level. As an Asian American, I know what it’s like to not feel like you belong or to feel like an outsider. I’ve felt that all my life, much like Ouroboros has. But truthfully, it was not until recently that I finally felt like I belonged to this wonderful, big family, which is Hollywood. Hollywood has welcomed me back with wide open arms in the biggest way possible, by giving me an Oscar for my performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once. It was an incredibly proud moment for me, to be acknowledged in such a way.
And with that newfound sense of belonging and acceptance, Ouroboros has become a way for me to express these feelings. It’s a testament to the fact that representation matters, and I hope that my character serves as an inspiration for others who have felt like outsiders in their own environments.
You mentioned seeing potential in Kevin all those years ago, but did you have any idea that you would also one day be part of the Marvel universe?
No, not at all. Back when I was doing X-Men, I was just happy to have a job. I wasn’t sure if I was going to have a career behind the camera, and I certainly didn’t expect to find myself in front of it again. And of course, I met Kevin Feige then, and I was just so impressed with his knowledge and passion for the Marvel Universe. He really is like a walking encyclopedia, and he has brought so much of that passion and love to the projects he oversees. I’m just really blessed and grateful to have had the opportunity to work with him again and to play this incredible character named Ouroboros.
Your role as Ouroboros garnered a lot of attention from fans. What was your experience like filming with the cast and crew of Loki?
It was truly a fantastic experience, and everyone was so supportive and passionate about bringing these characters to life. Tom Hiddleston is such a brilliant actor and an incredible person, and working with him was such a pleasure. The entire cast and crew were so dedicated to making the show the best it could be, and I felt honored to be a part of it all.
What was the most challenging scene for you in Loki’s season two premiere?
There was a particular scene where I had to flip a TVA handbook behind my head so that Tom Hiddleston could catch it during a walk-and-talk scene. It may sound simple, but it proved to be quite tricky to get the timing just right. We worked hard on it, and I was very glad when we finally nailed the shot. The attention to detail and commitment to getting things just right was evident in every scene, and it made my job as an actor so fulfilling.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and aspirations for your future in the entertainment industry?
I’m incredibly grateful to have had the opportunities that I’ve had, and my main hope is to continue working on projects that inspire and entertain audiences. I hope to continue to portray characters that resonate with people and to use my platform to further the representation of Asian Americans in media. I’d love to continue working with creative and talented people, and to be a part of telling stories that have a positive impact on the world.
As the industry continues to evolve, I am excited to see what the future holds, and I am looking forward to being a part of it. In the meantime, I am enjoying every moment of the journey and am grateful for the love and support that I have received from fans and colleagues.
