A new action-packed series is coming to Disney+ called "American Born Chinese," which is based on the 2006 graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. Although it won't arrive until later this year, there are already so many exciting details we know about the show, including the fact that a number of huge names are attached to the project.
For example, Kelvin Yu ("Bob's Burgers") is serving as a writer, executive producer, and showrunner for the series. Melvin Mar and Jake Kasdan, who previously worked on "Fresh Off the Boat," are also working as executive producers along with Asher Goldstein ("Just Mercy"), Erin O'Malley ("New Girl"), and Yang. Not to mention, the show brought in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" director Destin Daniel Cretton to direct the series.
The "American Born Chinese" cast also features some familiar faces. "Everything Everywhere All At Once" fans will be happy to hear the show will reunite Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, and Stephanie Hsu together on screen. That's right. So, who else is starring in the show and what is the story about? Here's everything you need to know about "American Born Chinese."
1"American Born Chinese" Plot
Image Source: YouTube user Disney Plus
According to the show's official synopsis, "American Born Chinese" revolves around a high school student named Jin Wang (Ben Wang). He's like any other teenager who's trying to balance his "social life with his home life," but on the first day of the new school year, his world gets turned upside down when he meets a new student and is soon thrown into "a battle of Chinese mythological gods."
In a featurette for the series, Wang also said the show "explores culture and identity through the lens of adolescents." Meanwhile, Yeoh teased viewers can expect "a lot of fun," "a lot of magic," and "a lot of badass action" throughout the series.
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2"American Born Chinese" Cast
Image Source: Getty/ Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
The cast of "American Born Chinese" is stacked. First up, Ben Wang will star as Jin Wang, whose described as a teenager that's "struggling" with his identity. Wang's previous acting credits include series like "Search Party," "The Last O.G.," and "MacGyver."
"Singapore Dreaming" star Yeo Yann Yann will play Jin's mother, Christine Wang, who is "a strong-willed, opinionated woman with a sly wit." Jin's "hard-working" and "devoted" father, Simon Wang, will be portrayed by Chin Han. You may recognise him from "The Dark Knight" and "Mortal Kombat."
Also starring in the series is Jimmy Liu as Jin's new friend Wei-Chen and Michelle Yeoh ("Everything Everywhere All at Once") as Wei-Chen's aunt Guanyin. Yeoh's "EEAAO" co-stars Ke Huy Quan ("The Goonies") and Stephanie Hsu ("The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel") will also be in the show.
Rounding out the cast is Sydney Taylor ("Just Add Magic: Mystery City") and Daniel Wu ("Westworld").
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3"American Born Chinese" Release Date
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At the Winter 2023 TCA press tour on Friday, Jan. 13, Disney announced "American Born Chinese" will premiere sometime in spring 2023. However, an exact release date for the show has yet to be anbnounced.
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4"American Born Chinese" Teaser
There's no official trailer for "American Born Chinese" yet, but in September 2022, Disney shared a glimpse at the series through a featurette. The clip includes a first look at Jin and Wei-Chen's friendship and his relationship with his family. We also see him go up against mythological gods. Get ready, because the show looks like it's going to be epic.
