Two First-Time Oscar Winners Star in New Disney+ Series

Some viewers may begin to think that Disney+ is a sci-fi/fantasy streamer with hits like The Mandalorian, Kenobi and Willow, but the streamer is all about diversity too with projects like Sneakerella, Ms. Marvel, and the upcoming series, The Crossover and American Born Chinese.

American Born Chinese features an international cast including recent Golden Globe and Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. Here's everything we know about the upcoming Disney+ series.

Related: Michelle Yeoh’s Net Worth In 2023 Kicks as Much Butt as She Does!

What is American Born Chinese about?

Based on the graphic novel by Gene Luen Yang, American Born Chinese is a genre-hopping action comedy that tells the story of Jin Wang, an average teenager juggling his progressive American high school social life with his traditional Chinese home life. When he meets a new foreign exchange student on the first day of the school year, even more worlds collide as Jin is unwittingly entangled in a battle between Chinese mythological gods.

When does American Born Chinese premiere?

American Born Chinese will premiere on May 24 exclusively on Disney+.

Is American Born Chinese based on other material?

American Born Chinese is based on the graphic novel of the same name by Gene Luen Yang. The story takes its inspiration from the classic Chinese literature novel, Journey To the West, which was written in the 16th century!

Journey To the West has been re-imagined many times, not only in Asian cultures but also in Western and European cultures. Into the Badlands, which originally aired on AMC, tells a variation of the story but set in post-apocalyptic times. The New Legends of Monkey is inspired by the popular series from the 70s, Monkey Magic which aired in Japan and then was dubbed in English for UK and Australian audiences. There was also a 2008 movie starring Jet Li and Jackie Chan called The Forbidden Kingdom. Into the Badlands, The New Legends of Monkey and The Forbidden Kingdom are available to stream on Netflix.

Aside from movies, Journey Into the West has seen versions in Chinese operas, graphic novels, books, poetry and even a television miniseries that aired on NBC!

Who is the Monkey King?

The Monkey King, or Sun Wukong (sometimes pronounced, "Su Mo Kong"), is a supporting character from the 16th century novel, Journey to the West. He was born from a stone and gained immortality through various wayward means including eating a peach from a heavenly garden and drinking heavenly wine.

In American Born Chinese, Sun Wukong is now a father with a rebellious teen of his own.

Who is the director for American Born Chinese?

Destin Daniel Cretton directed several episodes in the series. Cretton directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and is slated to direct the upcoming Marvel movie, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

Meet the cast of American Born Chinese

Michelle Yeoh (Guanyin)

Yeoh plays the mythical goddess of mercy, Guanyin. She and Quan both nabbed Golden Globes and Oscars earlier this year for their roles in Everything Everywhere All at Once. Yeoh's historic Oscar win makes her the first Asian to be nominated in the Best Actress category and to win it!

Related: See Michelle Yeoh's Mother Janet's Moving Reaction to Her Oscars Win

Ke Huy Quan (Freddy Wong)

Ke Huy Quan plays Freddy Wong, an actor in an '80s sitcom called Beyond Repair. Quan stumbled into acting when he accompanied his younger brother to an audition. The casting director noticed him and asked him to read for the part. He got a callback and read for Stephen Spielberg and was soon cast as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. He later starred in The Goonies alongside Sean Astin and Josh Brolin but roles soon dried up and he eventually moved behind the camera as a stunt coordinator and assistant director. He only recently decided to return to acting and his first role back was his now-award-winning performance in Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Fun fact: Both Quan, who won and Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and Brendan Fraser, who won an Oscar for Best Actor appeared in the film, Encino Man.

Related: Proof Ke Huy Quan Is Having the Best Time at the 2023 Oscars

Daniel Wu (Sun Wukong)

Born and raised in the U.S., Wu went to Hong Kong to witness the handover back to China. He eventually stayed and pursued a modeling and acting career there and filmed movies in Cantonese even though he could not read or write it. While he has a varied career in Asian cinema, he has also made his mark in U.S. film and television having starred in Into the Badlands, Westworld, as well as films like Tomb Raider and Warcraft.

Ben Wang (Jin Wang)

This is Wang's first lead role in a series. He has previously appeared on MacGyver, Search Party and The Last O.G.

Yeo Yann Yann (Christine Wang)

Yeo is a Malaysian actress who has worked mostly in Asian cinema. This is her first American series.

Chin Han (Simon Wang)

Chin Han has had a prolific television and film career both here in the U.S. and across the sea in Asia. He has worked with top-notch talent including actors Jackie Chan, Chiwetel Ejiofor and Sandra Oh and directors Gus Van Sant, J. J. Abrams and Steven Soderbergh.

Jim Liu (Wei-Chen)

The Taiwanese Liu has appeared mostly in Asian films, but also appeared in Strike Back and the critically acclaimed film, The Farewell, opposite Akwafina.

Sydney Taylor (Amelia)

Fairly new to the scene, Taylor has appeared on Nashville and Just Add Magic: Mystery City.

Stephanie Hsu (Shiji Niangniang)

Hsu had a recurring role on Marvelous Ms. Maisel before taking on the role of Joy Wang in Everything Everywhere All at Once where she was recently received SAG and Oscar nominations.

Poppy Liu (Princess Iron Fan)

The bilingual Liu was raised in Shanghai and Minnesota and has appeared on iCarly, Better Call Saul, and Hacks.

Will other notable Asian actors appear in American Born Chinese?

Yes! Look for James Hong, another Everything Everywhere All At Once star, to appear in one of the episodes as well as comedian Jimmy O. Yang.

Is there an official poster for American Born Chinese?

Yes! The official key art poster for American Born Chinese was created by Taiwanese-American visual artist James Jean. Check it out below.

How can I watch American Born Chinese?

American Born Chinese will stream exclusively on Disney+.

Is there a season 2 of American Born Chinese?

No word yet if there will be a season 2 of American Born Chinese.

Is there a trailer for American Born Chinese?

Take a look at this teaser trailer as well as this featurette from the production of American Born Chinese.

Where to Stream American Born Chinese

American Born Chinese streams exclusively on Disney+.

Is American Born Chinese on Netflix?

Nope! American Born Chinese will not be available on Netflix. The series streams exclusively on Disney+.

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