The actor reunites with Awkwafina and John Cena in the upcoming Prime Video comedy “Jackpot!”

By: Eastern Eye

Hollywood star Simu Liu, known for his groundbreaking role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringshopes that his dancing skills in Barbie will open doors to Bollywood. Liu, who played the role of rival Ken in Greta Gerwig’s 2023 blockbuster, expressed his strong desire to be part of a Bollywood film.

In an interview with PTI, Liu shared his excitement and said, “I think I have made my intentions very, very clear. I would love to act in a Bollywood film.” The actor, who is in Barbie and took part in a memorable dance competition. He hopes the experience will serve as an audition for a job in Bollywood.

In BarbieGreta Gerwig’s 2023 summer blockbuster, the actor played Rival Ken, who often fought with Ryan Gosling’s Beach Ken. They also have a dance competition to the popular song I’m just Ken.

“Hopefully my work will be Barbie is a suitable audition for Bollywood because we have a lot in common, a lot of music and dance numbers. I would love to come to India. So I’m putting this out there and hoping the universe gives me something back,” said the 35-year-old.

The screenplay is by Rob Yescombe and directed by Paul Feig, the filmmaker behind hits like Bridesmaids, Tough girlsAnd A simple favor, Jackpot! revolves around Awkwafina’s character Katie, a struggling actress in near-future California. After Katie wins the lottery, the public is after her life because there is a rule that awards all the winning money to whoever kills her.

In the comedy, Liu plays Louis Lewis, a character he describes as a “sophisticated and charming” guy, but who is also “very enterprising and devious.” Lewis befriends Katie and Cena’s Noel, with the intention of killing them and taking their money.

“I think an actor who plays a villain gets to go more places and have a little more fun. I definitely had a lot of fun on this film and the experience of working with Awkwafina… (again) It felt like a kind of great reunion and to go against John is… what can I say? Like a childhood dream of mine,” he said.

Liu and Cena, a well-known name in the WWE pantheon, worked closely with stunt coordinator James Young, who helped them use their physicality to deliver a convincing performance.

“John and I take this really seriously. We put a lot of effort into the preparation, all the rehearsals and the choreography between takes. He’s a real student of life and I really enjoyed working with him.”

The actor worked with Cena on Barbie, but they didn’t have any scenes together. However, Liu learned that Cena would have a cameo as the mermaid Ken in the film, an idea that excited him.

“He shot his cameo with Dua Lipa as mermaid Barbie and (him as) mermaid Ken probably on a soundstage somewhere by himself. As we were shooting, we were looking at the laser pointer dots in the distance.

“We had no idea what we were seeing and we were just told it would be John Cena in a mermaid costume. That was pretty great for the imagination, but I didn’t actually see him,” he said.

Liu became famous with Canadian sitcom Kim’s Convenience and cemented his reputation as Marvel hero Shang-Chi, a role he would like to reprise in the future. (PTI)