6 Michelle Yeoh Movies to Watch Before 'Wicked'
Before seeing her as Michelle Morrible in Wicked this year, check out these gems from the legendary actress' filmography.
Michelle Yeoh, known for her acclaimed role in the Oscar-nominated film Everything Everywhere All at Once, and the first Asian woman to be nominated in the Best Actress category, will be starring in the new Wicked film to be released this December.
Yeoh will be staring as Madame Morrible, the antagonist from the 2003 Broadway musical adaptation of Wicked and the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. While filming, Yeoh expressed "It's very exciting, and I can't wait for you all to see it. It was a risk, but you will never know which doors will open for you unless you try them all." The new film will be divided into two parts—its first premiere will be on Christmas Day 2024, and its second on the same day in 2025.
In Everything Everywhere All At Once, Yeoh plays a Chinese American immigrant who finds herself the hero of a story she didn't even know she was a part of. As she travels through the multiverse to save the world, she realizes all the lives she could have led if things were different. Critics raved about the profoundly emotional themes behind this action-packed movie starring Stephanie Hsu, Ke Huy Quan, Jenny Slate, Harry Shum Jr., James Hong, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
The actress also recently wrapped up filming the new Star Trek: Section 31 TV film, which is categorized as a spy thriller. Although there's no official release date yet, expect it no later than 2025.
If you enjoyed Everything Everywhere All at Once, can't wait until Wicked's release, and are looking for more Michelle Yeoh in your life, L'OFFICIEL breaks down her best films to add to your watch list.
Crazy Rich Asians
Based on the bestselling book by Kevin Kwan, Crazy Rich Asians broke records in 2018, becoming one of the highest-grossing romantic comedies of all time and a milestone for Asian representation in Hollywood films. The story follows Rachel (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her boyfriend Nick (Henry Golding) to his friend's wedding in Singapore and quickly finds out that he is one of the richest men in the country. Rachel soon learns that jealous socialites pining after her boyfriend are the least of her concern, as Nick's mother, played by Yeoh, disapproves of their relationship and wants Rachel gone.
While the love story is central to this film, the most emotional scenes are undoubtedly between Wu and Yeoh, who give standout performances. While Yeoh is known for her action films, Crazy Rich Asians proves her depth and range as an actress. "I related to her because if there is no frailty, vulnerability, there's no strength," Yeoh said in an interview about her character. "I think when you are the most vulnerable, that's when you discover how strong you can be, and how you have to use that to help yourself be stronger."
Tomorrow Never Dies
There's no grander action role than a Bond Girl, and in 1997, Yeoh joined the likes of Denise Richards, Rosamund Pike, and Halle Berry in 007 history. Yeoh plays Chinese secret agent Wai Lin in the second of Pierce Brosnan's James Bond films in her first significant Hollywood role. Wai Lin helps Bond stop a media mogul from starting a war between China and the UK, as they slowly develop a romantic relationship. Yeoh helped to break barriers in 1997 as the first Malaysian Bond girl, and Wai Lin is regarded among critics as one of the best Bond girls of all time.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Yeoh joined another star-studded cast in one of Marvel's biggest releases of 2021, Shang-Chi. In the film, martial arts master Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront his past when brought into an elusive organization, the Ten Rings. Yeoh plays Ying Nan, Shang-Chi's aunt and "an awesome magical kung fu goddess" who protects an enchanted bamboo forest. "We have been waiting for so long to have our own Chinese, Asian superhero. And now we do," Yeoh said of the film, which focuses on the first Asian superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "We were a magical place, and it was very nice to bring the old—what I call the older classics of the Chinese myths and legends—into what is very contemporary."
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
In the film that put her on the map, Yeoh plays Yu Shu Lien, a female machete warrior in the 19th-century Qing Dynasty. Yu Shu Lien is given her lover's sword to deliver for safekeeping, but after it is stolen, they go on a quest to the House of Yu to find it. A stunning mix of cinematic landscapes and martial arts choreography, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon won four Academy Awards in 2001, including Best Foreign Language Film, and became one of the highest-grossing foreign-language films in American history. Yeoh challenged gender roles and stereotypes and cemented herself as one of her generation's most sought-after action actresses.
Last Christmas
Yeoh is one of the greatest dramatic actresses in Hollywood, but she also knows how to have fun, and this Christmas movie proves her comedic chops. In the 2019 film, Kate (Emilia Clarke) is tired of her job as an elf after a health scare changes her life. She randomly bumps into a stranger, Tom (Henry Golding), who helps her find joy again. Along with the confusion she faces with Tom's backstory, Kate also has to deal with her overbearing boss, Santa, played by Yeoh. This funny holiday flick has heart, and Yeoh proves once again that she is a scene-stealer.
A Haunting in Venice
In contrast to other films Yeoh has starred in, 'A Haunting in Venice' has a dark theme and appearance. It's based on the 1969 novel Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie, and Yeoh plays Joyce, an eccentric widow that lives in Venice and claims to have seen the ghost of her late husband who was murdered. She helps reveal the identity of the killer in this mystery/horror film, proving once again her ability to star in films of such different genres.
