‘Eternals’ star Gemma Chan and 2021 film ‘Passing’ producer Nina Yang Bongiovi are currently in talks with Working Title Films in developing a biopic of Hollywood’s first Chinese American movie star Anna May Wong.
The late Hollywood star, who is known as the first Chinese American star to garner international recognition, was born in Los Angeles in 1905, her grandfather emigrated from China to the US in the 1850s. At the age of 17, Wong played the lead in the first Technicolor picture, ‘The Toll of the Sea,’ (1922), and went on to act in over 60 films during her career.
Chan had shown how much she respects Wong that she also paid her homage at the 2021 Met Gala where she wore a black sequin mini dress by Prabal Gurung and had her hair up in braids, a hairstyle that was previously seen on Wong.
Ahead of her Met Gala red carpet appearance, the 39-year-old English actress paid a heartfelt tribute to Wong on her Instagram, “Despite facing prejudice and stereotyping she fought back against the discrimination she faced in Hollywood,” she wrote of the star, adding, “In her words: ‘It’s a pretty sad situation to be rejected by Chinese because I’m “too American” and by American producers because they prefer other races to act Chinese parts.’”
“A trailblazer, fashion icon, and woman ahead of her time – she paved the way for those who came after and continues to inspire,” she added.
