Hong Kong Disneyland introduces Leslie Lam, the city’s first Marvel character, as theme park continues HK$10.9 billion expansion plan

Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will move a step closer to becoming a superhero hub of Asia when its second Marvel-themed attraction – complete with a local character – opens on Sunday.

Disney announced on Thursday that the highly anticipated attraction “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!” would feature a Hong Kong-specific Marvel character named Leslie Lam, played by local actress Jessica Hsuan.

The interactive adventure takes visitors on a critical mission with Ant-Man and The Wasp as they answer Iron Man’s call to help defend Hong Kong against an army of Swarmbots.

The launch ceremony on Thursday was attended by more than 1,000 guests, including Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, Hsuan and actor Paul Rudd, who plays Ant-Man.

“Apart from the new Marvel fun, even more popular Disney characters and stories are arriving in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort under the multi-year expansion plan,” said Stephanie Young, the theme park’s managing director.

Young was referring to a six-year HK$10.9 billion expansion plan that started in 2018. The plan includes new attractions with characters from Marvel and the smash hit Frozen, as well as an upgraded castle set to open in 2020. An even bigger Marvel-themed area, featuring superheroes from the Avengers franchise, was expected to open in 2023.

The expansion was launched to boost business for the Lantau Island theme park, which has suffered four consecutive years of losses.

In 2018, Hong Kong Disneyland had a deficit of HK$54 million (US$6.94 million), a significant improvement from the HK$345 million loss it reported in 2017.

Official projections have the park receiving up to 9.3 million visitors a year by 2025, up from 6.1 million in 2016. The park’s expansion was expected to create an additional 8,000 jobs in the tourism sector.

On Thursday, the actors featured in the interactive attraction said they were excited to be a part of it.

“I grew up going to Disney parks, and now to be part of an attraction at Hong Kong Disneyland is a dream come true,” Rudd said. “I can’t wait to share this experience with my kids – they’re going to love it.”

And Hsuan said: “As a Hong Kong artist, it’s amazing to see our very own Hong Kong Disneyland continue to grow and to have new local Marvel characters who truly represent our city.”