Released in 2018, the first Venom movie proved a firm success with audiences, scoring 80% with audiences on Rotten Tomatoes and grossing a whopping $856.1 million worldwide. Starring Tom Hardy as Marvel’s anti-hero, Eddie Brock/Venom, the mix of humour and action clearly resonated with audiences. So it was no surprise that a sequel was released three years later with Venom: Let There Be Carnage and this year, the ‘last’ movie of the franchise has been wrapped up with Venom: The Last Dance.
Apart from Hardy, only one other character has been in all three Venom movies – Mrs Chen, Eddie’s friend and owner of Eddie’s local convenience store, played by Peggy Lu.
For Venom’s last outing, Mrs Chen leaves the convenience for the bright lights of Vegas (as can be seen in the trailer) and we sat down with Peggy Lu to find out what it’s been like to star in the movies…
What do you think it is about the Venom movies that have made them so popular with audiences?
I think it’s because it’s relatable. It’s about friendship. It’s about no matter what, you’re there for your friends. It’s about the ups and downs of life. It’s full of surprises. I think that it’s relatable because of the chemistry that Tom has with Venom and because Tom is just so clever and funny.
Why do you think audiences like Mrs Chen so much?
She can just tell you the way it is! She doesn’t beat around the bush and she’s blunt. She’s not a yes man – we all need a Mrs. Chen in our lives!
What are those scenes with Venom like and working with the CGI element?
The person who plays Venom wears a baseball hat with a stick and a tennis ball, so I know where to look for my eye lines. His name is also Tom, isn’t that funny, and he’s been great. He’s so much fun to work with. Everyone’s just been so lovely.
You get a lovely dance scene with Venom in The Last Dance – what was that like?
You know I’m not a dancer, right? I am not a dancer at all! Haha! The choreographer, Jennifer White (she was also the choreographer for Barbie) was very patient. So was Tom my dance partner – Tom Clark, not Tom Hardy. I didn’t dance with Tom Hardy haha!
I was just so lucky to be working with such great people, and everyone was so patient. Because I’m not a dancer, I kept forgetting to point my toes or remember that my arms should be straight. I just got so lucky.
That must have put you out of your comfort zone…!
Yes! And try doing that in high-heeled shoes. First I thought, can I just dance in socks? Because then it’s easier to turn and all that stuff but Jennifer White wasn’t having it! But after a while I go, ‘man, I should be wearing high-heeled shoes all the time around the house, doing housework!’
Did you ever get a chance to improvise on set?
Tom Hardy is a great improviser. We will always do everything that’s on the script and then when I see him playing, improvising, I’ll start playing with him.
When we met in 2018 I was so nervous – I’m working with this big international star, so I was having a heart attack. I was running the lines by myself, facing a wall and the next thing I know, somebody taps me on my shoulder, turns me around, gives me a huge hug, and says ‘Hi, I’m Tom Hardy’ – first name and last name!
Here I am going ‘Okay, I’m gonna be cool and so I said… who?!’ Haha! I am the biggest dork. I can’t believe I said that. And then, you know what Tom did? He said, ‘I’m Tom Hardy. We’re in the scene together.’ So he repeated his first name and last name, and then I went, errr duh!
He was just so nice, and then he offered to run the scene to make me feel better and more comfortable. He’s so personable and so nice. He just makes it so easy to play. I think that you’re as good as your scene partner, whoever you’re working with, you’re just as good as they are and he’s just so kind and so nice.
He treats everybody so nicely, including the background actors. Every time the director says cut, he’ll ask them if everybody’s okay – do you need something to eat? Do you want a drink? Watching him doing that got me thinking that I need to be more conscious about the people around me. I’ve learned so much from him.
If you could put Mrs Chen in any other superhero movie, where would you put her?
Oh, my God, you know whose ass I want to kick?! The Joker!
Venom: The Last Dance is available to buy or rent on Home Premiere now