Nearly two years after Ke Huy Quan won an Oscar for his supporting role in Everything Everywhere All At Once, he returns to the big screen in his first leading role. Quan stars in Universal’s Love Hurts as Marvin Gable, a successful realtor whose past as a violent hitman resurfaces. Initially, Quan declined the romantic action comedy several times, stating at the film’s Los Angeles premiere, “I didn’t see myself as Marvin Gable because he’s the leading man and he’s No. 1 and he’s the action star. When I was younger, I wanted to be him, but because I didn’t get the chance I thought I wasn’t right for it.”
A conversation with Steven Spielberg, with whom he worked in 1984 on Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, convinced Quan to embrace the opportunity and take the lead role for the first time. “The very first day on set, one thing was on my mind,” Quan explained. “I know how it was done with Harrison Ford, Tom Hiddleston, all of those incredible actors who are always No. 1 on set, and seeing how they treat the entire cast and crew.” He emphasized his desire for everyone to feel loved, welcomed, and part of the family, affirming, “No matter what they do on set, their job is just as important as mine.”
Quan also highlighted the influence of Jamie Lee Curtis during the filming of their previous project. “I learned something from Jamie Lee Curtis working on Everything Everywhere All At Once,” he shared. “When we had a really difficult and tough week, she would give the entire cast and crew a treat. She would buy out a hot dog truck or a bagel truck. We were in Canada, so I rented a pizza truck because I just wanted to show them how appreciative I am of them. So I learned from the best.”
The premiere of Love Hurts showcased a special reunion as Quan was accompanied by his Goonies co-stars Sean Astin, Jeff Cohen, Kerri Green, and Corey Feldman. Astin expressed pride in witnessing Quan’s career renaissance, saying, “The Ke dream journey just keeps going. I think the whole Oscar year was this massive, exploding emotional thing; now, he’s right where he’s supposed to be. He’s right where he should have been for the last 25 years.”
As Love Hurts hits theaters on Friday, Quan’s journey emphasizes the importance of leadership on set. With the inspiration from icons like Jamie Lee Curtis, he’s not only stepping into a leading role but also shaping a supportive environment for his cast and crew, ensuring everyone feels valued. This approach could have lasting effects on the film industry, encouraging more leaders to foster a sense of community and gratitude on their projects.