Tom Hardy returns as Venom in Venom: The Last Dance, in theaters starting today. Hunted by both their words, Eddie Brock and Venom are forced to flee. As things go from bad to worse they are forced to make a decision that could end their symbiotic partnership for good.

During the film, Eddie and Venom run into Mrs. Chen, played by Peggy Lu, at a casino where she and Venom share a dance.

Recently, the actress spoke to SciFi Vision at length about how she went from pharmacy to acting, joining the Marvel franchise and what it means to her to be a part of the trilogy, how the dance scene with Venom was filmed, and much more.

Watch the full interview and read the transcript below. Venom: The Last Dance is now in theaters nationwide.




***edited for clarity and length***

SCIFI VISION:   To start out, why don't you go back to the beginning and tell me how you got involved in the first Venom movie. I mean, I assume it was an audition, but just kind of talk about that experience a little bit.

Photo © Celeste Canino

PEGGY LU:   Yeah, I think it was back in 2018. That's how far back. Yeah, I got the audition went in there, and it was almost like I walked in the room, and there were all these recognizable faces, except me. Then, I got adjusted three times by the casting director. Then, of course, I walked out of there and go, “Oh, I should have done this. I should have done that. I sucked.” Then, I guess a few days later, then I had the call back, and all they wanted me to do was improvise the ending. The casting office was so busy that day, and then, of course, I couldn't find parking, and then I think I was like five minutes late, and I got all freaked out in my head, and all they wanted was [for me] to improvise the ending, and that was it. Then I was done.

SCIFI VISION:   I was going to say, it was probably really surprising. I mean, this is big. It's Marvel; it's huge. As soon as you found out you got the part, what was going through your head?

PEGGY LU:   Well first I was, of course, like, you know, thank the universe, thank the God, thank the Lord, and then, the panic set in. After, it's like, I get so excited, and then I get scared and [anxious], and then insecurity kicks in. That's how it feels every time.

SCIFI VISION:   I'm not sure what you're allowed to tell me, but what can you tell me about your role in this new one? It looks like you're dancing with Venom in the one picture.

PEGGY LU:   It’s The Last Dance.

SCIFI VISION:   Yeah, true.

PEGGY LU:   Well, when I read the script, the ending will shock you. I was so surprised by the ending, and I had to read it like several times to make sure I got it, to make sure that it actually was what I read. It's registering in my head, and it's so different than the first two. I think y'all are gonna be surprised, and I think y'all are gonna love it.

SCIFI VISION:   Let me ask you, obviously, you know, Tom’s digital, when he's turned into Venom. Going by the picture, like I said, you dance with him. How did they do that? I mean, was there somebody in a [green] suit or - because he's not there, so how did they do that?

PEGGY LU:   Oh, I had a dance partner who was almost the same size as Venom, except he had to wear a hat that had a stick on it to show the height. So, then that's where I would be looking. So, instead of looking at his face, I have to look at this point on his head. I mean, this stick on his head…But the challenge was, instead of looking at his face, like you usually would, when you're dancing with someone, I have to look beyond his face and, and let's hope I do not forget that so I remember to look at the ball.

SCIFI VISION:   Now in the second movie, you turned into Venom. Was that any of that practical or was that all digital? It's hard to tell, so I wasn't sure.

PEGGY LU:   It was digital.

SCIFI VISION:   Okay, so there was no makeup.

PEGGY LU:   Yeah, it was digital. Then, Tom was so nice. I would imitate what he says, so then I could sound like, you know, Venom.

SCIFI VISION:   That was my other question, what it’s been like working with Tom.

SCIFI VISION:   In[credible]. You know, I think the challenge about being an actor is you go to job to job, and then you're always working with new people, so then there's always that - not the fear, but when you first meet someone, it could be very uncomfortable. So, back in 2018, I was so nervous to be working with Tom. I was running lines, just facing the wall just by myself, and he comes up behind me, taps me on the shoulder, and he turns me around and gives me a big hug, and then he says, “Hi, I'm Tom Hardy. We’re in the scene together.” And I was going, “Oh my God, he's so cool.” I was trying to be cool, and I couldn't even get any words out. You know what I said to him? I said, “Who?”

SCIFI VISION:   He probably knew you were nervous.

PEGGY LU:   “Who?” That's how cool I was. Because the way he introduced himself, you know, first name and the last name, like I wouldn't know. It just kind of set the environment for us where I could just relax and just breathe. So, ever since then, it's been so easy just because of that first initial introduction that he did. I thought that was really, really cool.

SCIFI VISION:   Yeah, that was cool. It seems like he's a nice guy.



PEGGY LU:   I know, isn’t it? I thought it was so cool.

SCIFI VISION:   It’s a good story to remember. So, this time you're out of the store. You get a costume too. That's got to make it nice. I mean, not that it isn't nice in the store but it's something different.

PEGGY LU:   Yeah, they let me out the store. That dress was tailor made for me. I’ve never had anything tailor made for me where they measure every inch of your body, and thank God it was stretchy, because I said, “Please make a stretchy,” so at least I could eat. [laughs] So, I don't have to suck it in all the time.

SCIFI VISION:   I guess the biggest question is, did they let you keep it? Probably not. I turned that dress up.

PEGGY LU:   Girl, I tore that dress up! Girl, it's not in good shape. I am not a graceful dancer. I'm not even - I'm not a dancer at all. So, yeah, it's not in good shape.

SCIFI VISION:   Did they give you dance lessons then.

PEGGY LU:   Oh, yeah, they did, and the choreographer, Jennifer White, she also choreographed Barbie. So, it's from the same choreographer, and she's working on Fantastic Four right now.

SCIFI VISION:   Oh, that's really cool. So, other than dancing, is there anything else that you learned from just this whole experience, not even just this movie necessarily, but anything that you learned throughout it?

PEGGY LU:   I did learn something from Tom when we were in Vegas, shooting the scene - It's was always awkward for me when somebody comes up to you and compliments you, and, then, sometimes I get all tongue tied, and I'm always trying to be cool, and it never comes out cool. So, I should learn my lesson, but I have not learned that lesson. Then, I saw Tom. People are coming up to him constantly, and he is just so nice about it. I noticed he would touch them on the shoulder and go, “Oh, what's your name?” and then he'll repeat their name and then say thank you, and his eyes never leave them. He was just so present instead of what I've seen. People [will] be walking and saying “thank you,” and they're not even looking at them. The way he shows his appreciation to his fans - to everyone. That's what I've learned from him.

SCIFI VISION:   That's cool…Has it made it easier when you meet people now, or do you still have have a hard time with it though, when they come up to you?

It's kind of hard. I so appreciate their kindness. I just don't know what to say, besides “thank you.” When I'm insecure, I just go, “Okay, thank you, bye,” and start walking, But now, I get to take the time and just look at them and say “thank you,” because I'm sure it's not easy for them to come up to me. That's another thing that Tom taught me. He says, you know, “it's not easy for them to come up to you anyway, so you need to take the time and say thank you.”

SCIFI VISION:   Yeah, they're probably happy no matter what, and they're worried about you the same way you are. That makes sense.

PEGGY LU:   Yeah, so then I thought that was very thoughtful. He's really really thoughtful. He’s taught me a lot.

SCIFI VISION:   When you did the first movie, did they tell you that you were going to come back, or did you not find out until –

PEGGY LU:   Girl, I did not know anything. I didn't even know that there was a trilogy. Well, I was happy that they didn't kill me. I go, “Oh, I'm not dead, okay.” So, I did not know anything.

SCIFI VISION:   I'm just kind of curious how different working on like a production [like this is]. I mean, you talked about the dress, obviously, but a huge production versus like a little project, is everything completely different, or does it kind of overall feel the same? I'm just curious.

PEGGY LU:   With a big production, there is, like - I think if [they] didn't have the budget, they would not be able to hire someone to help me learn how to dance. If it was a smaller budget, I probably would have to go watch YouTube, and then do it myself. So, the guidance is more - there's more people there to help you and walk you through the steps. [On a] lower budget sometimes you're swimming in the dark, so you don't really actually know where you're going until you hit a wall, and then I have to go try to fix it myself.

SCIFI VISION:   That makes it easier, I'm sure.

PEGGY LU:   Yeah, it makes it so easy. Like, I just show up. All I have to do to show up on set and make sure I've done my part, and they'll take care of the rest, and you are pampered. I was very pampered.

SCIFI VISION:   Very cool. So, let me ask you, what's your dream role after this? A lot of times I hear people say “I want to be in a Marvel.” What would you like to do after this like? What is your goal with acting?

PEGGY LU:   That's such a great question. I wish I had thought that far. My goal would be - you know, right now it's just so competitive in in this world that I'm in. Did you know it's one out of 50 auditions you book one job? So, that means I have to go on 50 job interviews in order to land one job. So, the first instinct is I want to say, “just give me any jobs,” because now I'm back looking for another job. The dream role would be, I guess, it'd be a sitcom - a live action sitcom with a real audience. Yeah, an audience sitting there watching me every second, almost like theater.

SCIFI VISION:   But I'm sure one out of 50 isn’t this kind of movie, so you go lucky with that. I mean, I'm assuming since this, your life's changed a lot then, because you're recognized. I mean it's a big film.  What's the main thing that's changed about your life, other than being recognized? What else has changed for you since being in these films?

PEGGY LU:   Well financially it has changed. Other than that, I'm still the same. I learned to be, I guess, humble, and because it is so rare, you know, because only 1% of the actors are actually working and could actually make a living. And because of this movie, I am able to do that. Then, when I think about that, then, the anxiety kicks in for some reason and I get all nervous and go, “Oh my gosh, I hope this lasts.” Sony has been very kind to me. So, that has changed; I don't have to worry about money.

SCIFI VISION:   Well, that's always a good thing. In this film was there anything other than the dancing that you found difficult that you had to do? Since I haven't seen it, it's kind of hard to ask specifics, but was there anything else?

PEGGY LU:   Just sitting down in that dress, girl, because there's a big - there's a high slit. Tom and I were sitting down talking in the movie, and then I said, “Tom, I'm so sorry, but I have to flash you, because of this dress,” but I had tights underneath. Then, he said the sweetest thing. He goes, “Just do you. Don't worry about it; just do you.”

SCIFI VISION:   [laughs] As long as it's not on film you're okay.

PEGGY LU:   Yeah, because it was just from the waist up, but then from the waist down, every time I sit down the dress just falls right open.

SCIFI VISION:   That's not good but I guess it probably makes it easier to move if there's a slit.

PEGGY LU:   Right, yeah, that’s true.

SCIFI VISION:   So, from what I could gather online, you didn't start out acting, you were a pharmacist. How did you go from that to [acting]? I mean, I'm assuming you at some point you auditioned, but what made you want to do that? How did you get to that point?

PEGGY LU:   When I was a sophomore in college, and, you know, as an Asian, we're all pre-med pre-something, pre-med pre-law, and so I was pre-med, and then I met a girl in a cafeteria, and she was telling me that her major was theater, and I didn't even know there was such a thing. I go, “Well that is really cool; that sounds really fun, better than what I'm doing taking physics chemistry calculus.” So, then I call my parents and go, “Hey, guess what? I finally figured it out.” And they just they were not happy. So, what they said was as long as I finished college with a doctoral degree - They don't care what kind of doctoral degree, MD PhD whatever D, as long as there’s a D, and then I could do whatever I wanted afterwards. So, that's what I did. After college, I went around to the state board in New York in California, and then I started off in New York, because at that time they were telling me, “Oh, you know what? It's more prestigious to come out from New York as an actor and then move to LA.” So, that’s what I did.</