Simu Liu had a hell of a year! Marvel's breakout star received a ton of attention when his film Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings broke multiple box office records...
...and when he was suddenly the internet's main character for a moment. Simu became an overnight meme when fans rediscovered his previous work as a stock photo model and went to town with it.
Thanks I hate this https://t.co/vugIdutadX
The results are hilarious, so here are some of the best ways the internet used Simu's old stock pics:
1. His surprise cameo in Spiderman: Far From Home.
2. Simu's appearance in the post-credits shawarma scene from The Avengers.
3. Claiming his seat at the Avengers table.
The New Avenger
4. This visual representation of how Simu feels about his stock photos past.
5. Simu helping to come up with a game plan in Avengers: Endgame.
6. An action figure of Shang-Chi's part-time job: Getty Images stock model.
7. Simu helping Tony Stark and Pepper Potts keep tabs on the other Avengers recruits.
8. This plug for Simu's superhero workout routine.
@svmberg @SimuLiu Shang Chi: Legend of the Ten Ring Fit Adventure.. ❤️❤️❤️
9. Promo for the next Avengers phase.
@coldpizzasIice @SimuLiu
I've had coworkers who wore more jewelry than this, honestly. I miss them.
10. His appearance in Loki.
11. An action figure re-creation of Simu's stock photo glory days.
12. This unsettling deepfake.
@svmberg @SimuLiu It would have been funny to have Shang chi be a stock photo model as one his odd jobs in the movie.
13. A really clever marketing ad featuring two snacks.
14. WandaVision's Julian Hilliard welcoming Simu into the MCU.
Uncle #ShangChi!!! 🤩😅 https://t.co/Sh34M3j9Cr
Yeah, it's canon.
15. Shang-Chi leading the all-hands meeting.
16. Simu revisiting his old "coworkers."
@SimuLiu Would you prefer this? 😜 (I'll delete this if you want)
Okay, maybe those rock-hard abs are the real superpower.
17. Superheroes don't just fall from grace. They also fall down stairs.
Actor simu liu fell down the stairs at the #MetGala
18. But they always get back up.
@SimuLiu saw your other look at the met
19. These previously unnoticed Shang-Chi Easter eggs in earlier Marvel movies.
20. This shoutout to his Jung character from Kim's Convenience.
21. Simu enjoying his own film in IMAX.
22. This internationally punny meme.
@SimuLiu Simu, my friend just sent me this and it’s too hilarious not to share! 🤣🤣 Hope you see this lololololol
Translation:
Top left: Shang chi
Top right: shang ban (上班) go to work
Down left: shang xue (上學) go to school
Down right: shang wang (上網) browse the net
23. This Marvel x Star Wars crossover.
24. And finally, the most iconic use of Simu's stock photos — from the meme himself.
Me laughing at the people who thought we’d flop
Shang-Chi was predicted to flop at the box office by many online critics. It was the complete opposite. So Simu dunked on the doubters in the best way possible.
We love a self-aware king.
LOL, and just when he thought he could outrun his destiny...
@SimuLiu Still radiates stock photo energy
...he once again became a meme.
Simu Liu and his stock photos are truly the gift that keeps on giving. I can't wait to see even more of this hunk in 2022.
And if you also can't get enough of these glorious stock photos, take this quiz to find out which Simu stock photo best matches your personality.