Worth The Wait Premieres in KL with Ross Butler & Lana Condor, Supported by Tourism Malaysia

Backed by Tourism Malaysia, Worth The Wait isn’t just a movie, it’s a celebration of Asian talent and the beauty of Malaysia itself. With scenes filmed against the backdrop of Malaysia’s lush landscapes and vibrant cityscapes, the film invites viewers to fall in love not only with its characters but also with the country’s charm.

The star-studded ensemble includes Ross Butler (13 Reasons Why), Lana Condor (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before Franchise), Andrew Koji (Black Doves), Sung Kang (Fast and The Furious Franchise), Elodie Yung (The Cleaning Lady), Karena Ka-Yan Lam (multiple Golden Horse Award winning Hong Kong and Taiwan actress in her U.S. and English language debut), Osric Chau (Supernatural), Kheng Hua Tan (Crazy Rich Asians), and Yu-Beng Lim (Rebel Moon). Meanwhile, acclaimed Taiwanese director, Tom Shu-Yu Lin - the eight-time Golden Horse nominee – makes his English-language debut with Worth The Wait.

At the heart of Worth The Wait is a story inspired by real life. Producer Rachel Tan—former Miss Malaysia and rising star in Southeast Asian cinema, crafted the narrative from her own long-distance love story between Malaysia and the U.S. “We wanted to create something that celebrates our Asian identity while also speaking to audiences around the world,” she shares. “The response has been incredibly encouraging.”

The film’s red carpet premiere at DaDi Cinema in Pavilion Kuala Lumpur was a glamorous affair, drawing over 200 guests and cast members flying in from the U.S., Canada, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Tourism Malaysia sees this collaboration as part of a broader strategy to integrate film and tourism. “Films like Worth The Wait inspire audiences worldwide to explore Malaysia for themselves,” says Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Director-General of Tourism Malaysia. With Visit Malaysia Year 2026 on the horizon, the film serves as a cinematic invitation to experience the country’s natural beauty and cultural richness firsthand.

Set for theatrical release in Malaysia this August, Worth The Wait is already making waves internationally, with streaming and theatrical releases in Hollywood, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Distributed locally by Astro Shaw, it marks a milestone for Malaysian cinema, proof that stories rooted in local culture can resonate globally.