Melbourne actor Chris Pang has hit the Hollywood fast lane with game-changer Crazy Rich Asians

IT’S the blockbuster comedy with an all-Asian cast that’s set to be a game-changer in Hollywood. And right at the centre of Crazy Rich Asians is Melbourne actor Chris Pang.

MELBOURNE actor Chris Pang has hit the Hollywood express lane with Crazy Rich Asians.

Not just one of the most hyped movies of blockbuster season, the rom-com is seen as a game-changer for the film industry.

“Every Asian person on the planet was trying to get a role in this,” Pang told the Herald Sun when he returned home this week. “Off the back of a New York Times bestseller, with an all-Asian story … coming from an ethnic background, it’s a big deal.”

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Melbourne actor Chris Pang has a central role in Crazy Rich Asians — not just one of the most hyped films of 2018, but set to be a game-changer in Hollywood. Picture: Tim Pascoe

Based on the novel by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians is a romantic comedy set around Singapore’s “wedding of the century” — Pang plays the groom, Colin.

“There hasn’t been a film come out of a Hollywood studio with an all-Asian cast for 25 years — the last one was Joy Luck Club in 1993,” he said. “So in the last 25 years we’ve gone around in a circle and it’s now time to have this conversation again, diversity is in the centre of the media. It’s time to really push that, change the landscape. It’s a super exciting opportunity.”

Pang (second from left) on the set of Crazy Rich Asians as Colin with (from left) Sonoya Mizuno as his bride to be, Henry Golding as best man Nick, Jimmy O. Yang as Bernard and director Jon M. Chu. Picture: Warner Bros

The 33-year-old said new offers are already coming his way, despite the fact the movie doesn’t open until August 30.

Pang isn’t the only Aussie in the cast: Queenslander Remy Hii (Harrow) and Ronny Chieng, who studied and began his stand-up comedy career in Melbourne, also have key roles.

“We had our little Australian corner, which mainly consisted of us playing Xbox,” Pang said.

Colin’s wedding ceremony is so decadent that any future Mrs Pang will surely wind up disappointed.

Pang as Colin (at rear) with best mate Nick in a scene from Crazy Rich Asians. Picture: Warner Bros

“Nothing I do will ever live up to the extreme wedding ceremony in Crazy Rich Asians,” Pang admitted with a laugh. “I’ve already given up.”

Pang is the son of local kung fu teachers Barry and Anne Pang, also noted art collectors and part-owners of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente.

Frustrated by a lack of opportunities after starring in Australian box office hit Tomorrow, When the War Began, Pang moved to Los Angeles in 2013. But he’s heartened by the transformation in progress on our screens.

Pang as Lee in the 2010 Australian film hit Tomorrow, When the War Began. Picture: Paramount

Pang with his Tomorrow co-stars Caitlin Stasey and Deniz Akdeniz. Picture: Cameron Richardson

“Australia’s caught up quickly — I felt like we were light years behind in terms of diversity and opportunity. But since then we’ve got Ronny’s show (International Student), The Family Law … all these things are cropping up and it’s very encouraging to see.

“As soon as my career is at a stage where it’s not necessary (to be in LA), I’m moving back to Australia.”

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Originally published as Melbourne actor Chris Pang has hit the Hollywood fast lane with game-changer Crazy Rich Asians