Lana Condor and Ross Butler reunite for Worth the Wait

By Kacie Chow

It’s an “Asian American Love Actually.”

That’s how the producers of Worth the Wait are describing Tubi’s latest ensemble rom-com, which unfolds across Seattle and Kuala Lumpur. At the center are Leah and Kai—played by Lana Condor and Ross Butler—whose characters are inspired by the real-life romance of the film’s producers, Rachel Tan and Dan Mark.

They’re joined by some very recognizable Asian faces—Andrew Koji (Warrior), Elodie Yung (The Cleaning Lady), and Sung Kang (Fast & Furious), with Karena Lam and Ricky He rounding out the cast.

The film marks a milestone for Tubi—it’s the platform’s first Asian American original film and will be released during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month on Friday, May 23rd. Condor, best known for the To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before trilogy, and Butler for 13 Reasons Why and Riverdale, are no strangers to playing romantic leads and being a part of Asian-led projects. 

When I mentioned the film’s significance to the platform, Condor admits: “I had no idea. This is so exciting.” Butler agrees: “Yeah. And then Asian Americans specifically. I mean, that’s great. That’s our lives. Us growing up in Virginia and Washington and just not seeing a lot of us around and just feeling like a very specific mix.”

“Yeah. Literally,” Condor adds. “That makes me very happy. Okay, Tubi. We see you.”

Lara Jean Covey & Trevor Pike Graduate

Not only is this film a step for Tubi, Worth the Wait also signals a turning point in Condor and Butler’s careers. 

One of the film’s most pivotal moments comes when Elodie Yung’s character turns to Karena Lam’s and asks, “Are you running toward something, or running away from something?” It’s the first time their storylines intersect. Lam’s character replies dryly, “That’s a personal question to ask someone you just met.”

Well, this was my first time meeting Condor and Butler—and I decided to ask them the same thing.

Now 28 and 34, they don’t hesitate: no more high school roles. 

“We know everything about high school at this point,” Butler laughs. Though Condor admits she technically could play more high schoolers, she adds “I think I have more to give. Worth the Wait might’ve been the first movie I filmed where I wasn’t in high school—and I felt so good doing it.” (High school roles to date: Condor – 5, Butler – 6.)

Butler said he’s guided more by instinct. “I wouldn’t say there’s anything I’m running away from… but I do allow myself to trust my gut. If I’m not feeling it, I’m not afraid of saying no…and then also trusting the people that are…handing me things.” 

In recent years, Butler has starred as superhero Eugene Choi in Shazam! and its subsequent sequel, lent his voice to Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon, and is now gearing up for the fantasy flick Shiver. 

For Condor, she’s chasing roles that present a new challenge. “The last few movies I’ve filmed, I’ve had to learn a very specific skill for them. And I’m learning that I love that…and being able to do that on set. It might feel a little masochistic cause you’re supposed to be so good at it, but I thrive under pressure.” 

Earlier this year, she starred in the war drama Valiant One, playing a U.S. military soldier—gun in tow for a lot of the movie. Condor also recently wrapped filming the action flick Ballerina Overdrive. Produced by John Wick director David Leitch, the film’s wrap photo—posted to Instagram—showed the cast in delicate pink ballerina costumes, drenched in blood.

“We graduated,” Butler says. “We graduated,” Condor echoes.

Executive Producer: Lana Condor

For Worth the Wait, Condor also took on an additional role as an Executive Producer. “I was very much on that kind of sponge journey,” she says. “I just wanted to learn what real producers who’ve been producing for years do… It was really kind of them to give me this opportunity.” 

“I just love that term—on my sponge journey,” Butler laughs.

I tell them that line’s 100% making the Instagram cut.

This Isn’t Their First Time Working With Each Other

Though Worth the Wait is new ground for both actors, Condor and Butler have shared the screen together before. In 2020 and 2021, they both starred in the second and third installments of the To All the Boys series as Lara Jean Covey and Trevor Pike, albeit in roles they’ve said felt more like brother-sister. 

Still, their established chemistry was easy to build on to play a romantic duo for Worth the Wait. “It felt very effortless from my end,” Butler says. “We know how to make each other laugh, and we know how to annoy each other.”

That ease carried into moments of improvisation on set. “Even when we were riffing—like doing some improv with the hot dogs—it just felt very…” Butler starts.

“Easy,” Condor finishes.

Worth the Wait Is an Ensemble Film

Still, like any ensemble film, there were actors they wished they had more screen time with. “I wanted to spend more time with Sung,” Butler laughs. “He just has such an effortless comedy about him, especially as that character.”

“Yes. My God,” Condor agrees.

Butler adds, “When we were doing that car scene, I genuinely had a hard time not laughing. He’s just mean. So dry.”

He also points out that he didn’t get to work with Elodie or Andrew. “Yeah, you didn’t see any of that,” Condor notes. “I saw them, [but] I would’ve liked to work with them more.”

Condor continues, “I loved working with Ricky, who plays my younger brother, but I wish we had more scenes together too.”

It’s Love Actually this time—but here’s hoping another ensemble piece brings them back together and lets them share more scenes.Watch Worth the Wait exclusively on Tubi starting May 23rd.