Mortal Kombat star Ludi Lin talks overcoming racism, anti-Asian prejudice in America and drawing inspiration from Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan to play Liu Kang – exclusive interview

Apr 10 , 2021

Is Chinese-Canadian action star Ludi Lin set for the big time as steps up from roles in Monster Hunt and Aquaman to play Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat? Photo: Alvin Goh, Warner Brothers

Is Chinese-Canadian actor Ludi Lin the next Henry Golding? Action roles in Monster Hunt and Aquaman have led to the Mortal Kombat film and coming Kung Fu series

He always played his character Liu Kang in the arcade game and grew up watching Jackie Chan – later he came to appreciate Bruce Lee’s wisdom and individuality

The huge success of Crazy Rich Asians made Hollywood execs realise that Asian actors not named Jackie Chan could be box office draws. Who’d have guessed that the quality of the film rather than the race of its lead actors might be important?

While Asian actors Henry Golding and Constance Wu have certainly become household names due to their on-screen success, Ludi Lin is definitely getting his share of the limelight.

Lin has all the attributes a smart American studio could want in a star. Born in Fuzhou, China, but educated in Australia and North America, Lin has international appeal being fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. A keen martial artist, the 33-year-old has genuine combat chops having learned Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu and Olympic-style wrestling – not to mention the ripped body of someone so physically active and in possession of a bachelor’s degree in dietetics.

Actor Ludi Lin in a coat by Prada. Photo: Alvin Goh

Lin’s canny choice of roles has been impressive. He’s had parts in the likes of Power Rangers and Monster Hunt, which became the highest-grossing film in Chinese box office history upon its release; Aquaman, DC Comics’ most successful film to date; and critically acclaimed TV series Black Mirror. Now he’s got got himself a meatier role as martial arts maestro Liu Kang in Mortal Kombat, a new film out this month based on the legendary video game franchise, also starring Indonesian actor Joe Taslim.

An engaging subject, we talked to Lin about his career so far, violence against Asian-Americans, the importance and impact of Bruce Lee and, of course, his new film.

What was your childhood in China like?

I wish I could let my childhood self answer this for me. I feel like a large part of my adulthood has been spent recovering the wisdom that he possessed. From what I can remember, it was filled with warmth and love. My mum was working in Hong Kong through a large portion of my childhood so my grandmother and aunt provided the love that was missing. My grandmother cherished me more than anything in the world. I wasn’t old enough to appreciate her love when she passed.

Ludi Lin in a polo shirt by Prada. Photo: Alvin Goh

My search for meaning now is also to let her know that I miss her and the love she gave me made me the person I am. My family had a lot of strong women in it.