Simu Liu Opens Up About Awkward Outfit During First Meeting With Robert Downey Jr.
Simu Liu addressed the viral Instagram post of him in athletic shorts and flip-flops recently on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.” It is a specific kind of professional nightmare that most people hope to avoid. You are at work, dressed for comfort rather than style, perhaps looking a little disheveled because you didn’t expect to see anyone important. Then, suddenly, the boss walks in.
Simu Liu and the Nightmare of Meeting Robert Downey Jr. in Flip-Flops
While appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this Monday, Simu Liu finally explained an image that has puzzled fans since May. The photo in question features the heavy-hitting cast of the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.” The lineup is staggering: Chris Hemsworth, Winston Duke, Paul Rudd, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Channing Tatum, Paul Rudd, Anthony Mackie, and the returning icon, Robert Downey Jr.
Everyone looks polished, cool, and camera-ready. Everyone, that is, except for Liu, who is standing in the back row sporting a pair of athletic shorts and flip-flops. According to the Shang-Chi star, the fashion faux pas wasn’t a stylistic rebellion; it was simply a matter of bad timing and a grueling work schedule.
Simu Liu Reveals the Story Behind the Viral Cast Photo
The context of the photo is crucial to understanding Liu’s embarrassment. During his conversation with Jimmy Fallon, the actor clarified that while the rest of the cast might have been there for photo ops or fittings, he was in the trenches. For an actor on a physically demanding set, comfort is king. Short shorts and open-toed shoes make sense when you are between takes or prepping for stunt work.
However, the universe has a funny way of timing significant life moments for when we are least prepared. Simu Liu’s casual workday was interrupted by a text message that would make any Marvel actor’s heart skip a beat. The text wasn’t about a script change or a lunch order; it was a summons to meet the man who launched the MCU.
As reported by Entertainment Weekly, Simu Liu recalled the sheer panic that set in when he received the notification. “I got a text in the middle of the day that was like, ‘Oh, Downey wants to say hi to you after work,’” Liu told Fallon. “And I was like, ‘No! I’m in short shorts and flip flops!’ And they’re like, ‘No, no. Downey wants everyone to come in and say hi.’”
The First Interaction with Robert Downey Jr.
Meeting Robert Downey Jr. is a milestone for any actor joining the Marvel fold. RDJ isn’t just a co-star; his performance as Tony Stark is the foundation upon which the current superhero zeitgeist was built. Now, with Downey Jr. returning to the franchise in a shocking twist as the villainous Doctor Doom, his presence on set carries even more weight.
While the photo shows a group of actors who look like they own the world, the reality behind Liu’s smile was a deep internal desire to be wearing literally anything else. For Liu, this was his first formal introduction to the legend. The interaction played out exactly as one might fear. Downey Jr., known for his quick wit and sharp observation skills, didn’t let the outfit slide.
Upon seeing Liu enter the room, RDJ didn’t offer a generic greeting. Instead, he zeroed in on the flip-flops. According to the actor, per Comic Book Resource, his co-star’s first words to him were, “Oh, look at you! Well, that’s a choice.” It was a playful jab, but one that cemented the moment in Liu’s memory as a cringeworthy introduction.
Final Thoughts
For Liu, standing in that room—even in flip-flops—meant he had arrived. He wasn’t just a solo hero anymore; he was part of the larger, chaotic, and star-studded family. The embarrassment of the outfit will likely fade, but the image of him standing alongside Downey Jr. is permanent proof of his place in Hollywood history.
