5 Things We Learned About ‘Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.’ Star Ming-Na Wen at Heroes and Villains Fan Fest

Ming-Na Wen was on hand at Heroes and Villains Fan Fest: San Jose to talk about Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Mulan, and more.

Here are some of the things we learned about the actress of the big and small screen:

1. May vs. May

On Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 2 Episode 4, “Face Your Enemy,” Agent May engages in an epic battle with Agent 33, both played by Wen. “Obviously it wasn’t me fighting myself […] but I did have to do both sides of the fight scene,” she explained.

There were two sets of stunt people because one character was in the silver dress and the other was in lingerie. She had to change wardrobe back and forth to shoot the scene in its entirety. “I get just one paycheck,” joked Wen.

“They get to rest while I have to do both, but it was great with the CGI and everything, and it’s a miracle. It really is,” she said of the final scene.

2. Agent May’s Parents

Tsai Chin played Melinda May’s mother on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Season 1 Episode 19, “The Only Light In The Darkness.” The two appeared together in The Joy Luck Club as well as a play that went to Broadway. “Any chance I have to work with Tsai is a treat.”

Chin’s role as Lian May was suggested by Wen herself. “I figured if Agent May had any mom, it would be Tsai.”

Chin played a Bond girl in You Only Live Twice, and this added to Wen’s own idea of May’s parents. “I always secretly wanted Agent May’s parents to be James Bond and Tsai.”

3. Asian Representation

A fan asked Wen her thoughts on Asian representation in entertainment. Wen acknowledges the fact that it’s all about economics and says she “tries not to take it personally.”

She continued, “Secretly I get a little happy when those [white washed] films fail, because that’s the only way to let these studios, and producers, and casting people know that we’re not going to accept that as much anymore.”

4. Live Action Mulan

Wen expressed how thrilled she was with the casting of Liu Yifei as Mulan in Disney’s live action version of the animated movie, in which Wen voiced Mulan. “She’s beautiful! She’s so perfect for it. I’m so excited!” she exclaimed, adding, “And she’s Chinese!”

“I want to support anyone who is Asian and in the business, first of all, and a woman—and any minority woman,” Wen said. “For me it was such a relief […] I look forward to meeting her. I think it’s fantastic.”

Her advice to Yifei was “just don’t eff it up.” Wen stated she was “very proud of the continued legacy. I hope they do it justice.”

Whether or not she will be a part of the film, Wen said she hasn’t heard anything yet, but would like to play Mulan’s mom, and urged the audience to “put pressure on Disney.”

5. Street Fighter: The Drinking Game

Wen spoke of her time working on Street Fighter: The Movie. “I loved working on Street Fighter. I got to be the lead female with Jean-Claude Van Damme and the late Raul Julia,” Wen recounted.

But then she gave her critic’s view of it: “The final product, if I’m going to be honest,” laughed Wen, “you know, it makes for a good drinking game. The more you drink the better it is.”

Joking aside, she remembers shooting Street Fighter fondly. “I had so much fun. I got to travel to Thailand and Australia. I got engaged there. It was quite a wonderful experience,” said Wen

“And the video game is awesome. I still have it. How often do you end up being a part of video game. It’s pretty cool.”

Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. airs Fridays at 9/8c on ABC.

Find out more about Heroes and Villains fans fest here, and be sure to check out all of our coverage of HVFF.

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