Maybe you first “met” Ming-Na Wen as Lien in the late 1980s/early 1990s. As the world turnsJune The Joy Luck Clubor Chun-Li street fighter. To some of us she will always be Jingmei yes Or the sound of Mulan circa 1998. Today, she’s carved out a clear space for herself in nerd culture, playing badass characters in popular titles from the Marvel Universe, such as Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Mandalorianand boba fett books. But when Scary Mom recently caught up with Wen, we couldn’t wait to learn about her current, particularly nostalgic role: voicing a character in Max’s 1984 animated prequel series to the cult classic, Gremlins.
exist Gremlins: The Wild BatchIn the second season of the prequel series, Wen brought to life Fong Wing, the mother of the show’s young protagonist, Sam Wing. Remember when the original movie didn’t really tell the full story of Gizmo (and later fellow gremlins)? Well, here’s your chance to find out. In the first season of the Max prequel series, 10-year-old Sam meets the young Mogwai, who we all know as Gizmo. He then begins a perilous journey through the Chinese countryside, occasionally stopping to – oh, you know – fight monsters and ghosts from Chinese folklore. wild batch The story takes place one year after the events of Season 1, with Gizmo, Sam, and Sam’s friend Elle moving from their home in Shanghai to San Francisco.
just in front wild batchAt the premiere in early October, Wen told us what she and Fang have in common as moms, how far back her card-carrying nerd status goes, and what the OG holiday is Gremlins belong.
Scary Mom: This series is so fun! What really attracted you to playing Feng?
Ming-Na Wen: I’m a big fan of his little monster, and Steven Spielberg and Joe Dante’s original film from that year. I just feel like I’m reliving my childhood through all these projects that I loved as a kid. Fang is probably one of the characters closest to me: a mom, kind of like the sandwich generation, with kids that we still take care of even though they’re semi-adults now, and then there are older parents that we have to take care of as well. I sympathize with Fong and understand a lot of things she goes through in her life. Gremlins.
SM: In what ways are you similar or different from your personality as a mother?
MW: I’m more liberal in how I relate to my kids and how I treat them, but I do believe in setting firm boundaries, especially when they’re young, just to set the foundation. On the other hand, her personality is the opposite of her father’s, as her grandfather was an adventurous, loving, free-spirited man who loved magic and mystery. [For her] Everything must be done according to the rules. She is very protective of Sam and doesn’t want Sam to fall victim to her grandfather’s antics.
To me, my mom was more blunt…very blunt and strict about a lot of things and very old-fashioned. So, I went against the grain and became an actor, and now all the credit goes to her. I believe that when our children succeed, we will succeed. It’s like, “This is all because of us.”
SM: It’s crazy even to say this out loud, but the original movie turns 40 this year.
MW: Don’t say it out loud. No, this is great.
SM: Were your children exposed to the show before it started?
MW: Come on, I’m a nerdy mom. I introduce them to everything I grew up with. I even introduced them to all the 80s music that I loved and now they love 80s music too. marvelous. I can relate to them; they can relate to me. So yes, they love little monster, It’s so fun to see their reactions to their mom being involved in all these cool projects.
SM: Why do you think this story has such enduring power?
MW: Between Brendan [Hay, executive producer] He Ze [Chun, executive producer/showrunner]I think they really captured some of the original essence of Gremlins. Now when I watch animation, sometimes I jump. It’s great because it’s such an inviting and interesting place too Gremlins. I think this was one of the first children’s movies at the time that came close to being R-rated. They were able to retain all the scary parts of it but still retain a heart for family, love and understanding of these creatures. That’s staying power…just great stories.
SM: So…you yes A huge nerdy mom; is that accurate?
MW: Oh, yes, absolutely. I mean, all my fans know this is true. In fact, I started my career as a very serious actor. It’s not that these projects aren’t serious, but I want to do Shakespeare, I want to get into theater, I want to do… just films like this The Joy Luck Club. It’s still a big part of the project that I’d be willing to risk again.
But somehow, life imitates art and art imitates life, and all these amazing projects came to me and they just fed my nerdy heart. I mean, I was President of my high school science fiction club.
SM: I like you.
MW: Dungeons & Dragons, yes.
SM: Another one of our favorite TV fans is BD Wong, who also stars in wild batch and who you first collaborated with Mulan. Would you like to work on another project with him in the future?
Mark: Love him. In fact, when I first came to L.A., I was a guest star all american girlMargaret Cho’s show, I played his girlfriend. back Mulanthat was the first time I finally got to work with him. The crazy thing is that I still let him work… Come on, my menopausal brain – it’s going to come to me. oh, SVU! What is the first part?
SM: law and order?
MW: Yes, law and order.
SM: Our brains get there eventually.
MW: I know; I feel like I’m always playing charades with my friends these days. “That blonde actress”…”she married”…so horrible. horrible.
SM: I heard that! So, you work with Huang SVU.
MW: So we work together, James Hong [The Wild Batch’s Grandpa] Actually in that project too. So, it was fun for us to work on this project together. It was kind of like a little party.
I’d love to do something with BD and James. Seriously, that one never stops; it’s incredible. He is so inspiring. But I’d love to work with BD anything. Maybe a romantic comedy, maybe a drama… something we can really put our energy into.
SM: Can’t wait. There is another very important question: do you think OG Gremlins Is it a classic Halloween movie or a classic Christmas movie?
MW: Oh, I would say Halloween. But I think the original was for Christmas, right? Yes, I remember the Christmas tree. Probably both. may be any holiday Movie.
Part 1 of the two-part season premiere Gremlins: The Wild Batch “Max” will air on Thursday, October 3.
