Goonies, Indiana Jones Star Explains 20-Year Absence From Hollywood

You’ll remember Ke Huy Quan as a child actor who starred in two of the 80s biggest films. He played the wily troublemaker Short Round in Indiana Jones and The Temple of Doom and the tech-savvy adventurer Data in The Goonies. This year, Quan stars in the cross-dimensional mind melter Everything Everywhere All At Once, his first significant film role in over 20 years. While promoting his new film, the actor discussed why he had disappeared from the big screen. 

According to Quan, opportunities dried up after his initial success, and he was only offered stereotypical Asian roles.

“I was waiting for the phone to ring, and it rarely did,” he said.

He then decided to forgo acting and became an accomplished assistant director and stunt coordinator. But inspired by the success of Crazy, Rich Asians, he decided to give acting one more shot.

“I was happy working behind the camera, but I had serious FOMO,” Quan said. “I wanted to be up there with my fellow Asian actors!”

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Ke Huy Quan in Everything Everywhere All At Once

Everything Everywhere might be one of the most oddball films you will ever see. And while there are a lot of weird moments, everything* in the film still makes sense. It was at moments funny, sad, and surreal. The film switches tones so effortlessly that it feels like a master editor cut together four completely different movies into one pastiched masterpiece. 

With references to everything from The Matrix, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Hong Kong cinema, the movie is a delight for the cinephile and those who just love a good time at the movies.

A Powerful Message

The film has a powerful affirming message without lecturing or talking down to the audience. It lays out its themes in such a creative and beautiful way that by will make you say to yourself, “I have no idea what I just watched,” while still absorbing the critical themes of love, believing in yourself, and living for yourself, others, and the moment.

Everything Everywhere also bucks a Hollywood trend to show the importance of family and motherhood. 

We’ve Been Missing Out

Quan’s performance is so good it’ll make you mad that this guy hasn’t been acting for 20 years. We’ve been missing out! Quan still has the puppy dog energy of Short Round and Data, but with a maturity and a depth that should garner him a few awards. 

Great Performances All Around

Michelle Yeoh is also incredible, as usual, but this is her best role. Usually cast for her subtle acting and emotionally stable characters, here you see a side of her emotional range that will captivate you as she plays a woman fractured throughout the multiverse.

And Jamie Lee Curtis’s contribution will make you wonder why she doesn’t play villains more often. She is virtually unrecognizable as the film’s antagonist, but fans are sure to notice her amazing performance.

I can’t recommend it enough. 

Have you seen Everything Everywhere All At Once? Are you going to? Let us know in the comment section below.

*…even the hot dog fingers (trust me)