You know that feeling when you're watching a massive, hundred-million-dollar superhero movie and a random guy on screen says exactly what you’re thinking? That’s basically Zach Cherry’s entire career in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He is the audience. He’s the guy with the phone out, the guy who wants to see something cool, and the guy who—honestly—is just trying to get through his commute without a machete-armed assassin ruining his day. When Zach Cherry in Shang-Chi popped up on that San Francisco bus, it wasn't just a funny cameo. It was a bridge between the street-level grit of New York and the high-flying mysticism of the Ten Rings.
Who is Klev? The Man, the Myth, the Streamer
Let's get one thing straight. His name is Klev.
In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Zach Cherry plays a passenger who decides that instead of running for his life, he’s going to provide play-by-play commentary for his followers. It’s hilarious because it’s so believable. We live in a world where people would absolutely livestream their own potential demise if the "content" was good enough.
Klev isn't just some nameless extra. He’s a guy who claims he "took a little bit of martial arts as a youth," which he uses to justify grading Shang-Chi’s incredible combat skills. It’s a classic bit of "armchair expert" humor that Zach Cherry nails with that specific brand of deadpan energy he’s perfected in shows like Severance and Fallout.
The Connection You Probably Missed
If you felt a weird sense of déjà vu when he appeared on screen, there's a reason. This wasn't Zach’s first time witnessing a superhero in the wild.
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Back in 2017’s Spider-Man: Homecoming, he played a street vendor in New York City. You remember the scene. Peter Parker is trying to prove he’s a "neighborhood" hero, and a guy shouting from a food cart yells out the iconic line: "Hey, do a flip!"
That was Klev.
Marvel eventually confirmed that this is the same character. Somewhere between Peter Parker’s early days and the events of Shang-Chi, Klev moved from the East Coast to the West Coast. Maybe he wanted a change of pace. Maybe the rent in Queens got too high. Whatever the reason, he ended up on that bus in San Francisco, still obsessed with superheroes, but now he’s traded his food cart for a smartphone and a streaming setup.
Why Zach Cherry’s Cameo Actually Matters
Most cameos in the MCU are huge stars or legacy characters. We get Matt Damon playing Loki in a play, or Patrick Stewart showing up as Professor X. But Zach Cherry represents something different. He represents the "regular person" who has to live in a world where aliens invade New York and dragons are real.
His presence makes the world feel lived-in.
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Think about it. In most action movies, the civilians are just screaming faces in the background. In Shang-Chi, Klev is a specific person with a history. He’s a fan. He’s a critic. He’s the guy who reminds us that while Shang-Chi is doing something extraordinary, the rest of the world is just watching and clicking "like."
The "Do a Flip" Legacy
The "do a flip" line became such a massive meme that Marvel actually brought it back for Spider-Man: No Way Home. You can hear the audio of his voice during a montage of Spidey's public perception.
But in Shang-Chi, he gets more to do. He isn't just a one-liner machine. He’s the perspective through which we see the "Bus Battle," which is arguably one of the best-choreographed fight scenes in the last decade of action cinema. By having Klev film it, director Destin Daniel Cretton gives the audience a sense of proximity. We aren't just watching a movie; we’re watching a viral video happening in real-time.
From Marvel to "Severance" and Beyond
It’s wild to look at where Zach Cherry is now compared to that 11-second clip in Homecoming. He’s now an Emmy-nominated actor for his role as Dylan George in Severance. He’s a lead in the Fallout TV series. He’s the host of The Great American Baking Show.
But for a huge segment of the Marvel fandom, he will always be the "Do a Flip" guy.
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There’s something poetic about him being in Shang-Chi. That movie was a turning point for the MCU—a shift toward new heroes and different cultures. Putting a familiar, grounded face like Zach’s in the middle of that transition was a smart move. It told the audience: "Yes, this is new, but it’s still the world you know."
The Future of Klev in the MCU
Will we see Klev again? Honestly, I hope so.
With Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (the animated series) featuring Klev (voiced by Cherry himself!), it's clear Marvel knows they have a fan favorite on their hands. There is a lot of talk about where the "street-level" MCU goes next. Whether it's Spider-Man 4 or a potential Shang-Chi sequel, there’s always room for a guy who’s just trying to get a good angle of the fight for his vlog.
Imagine Klev showing up in a Daredevil episode or being the one to accidentally film a secret Avengers meeting. The possibilities are endless because his character is so flexible. He’s the ultimate "Easter Egg" because he isn't a plot point—he’s a vibe.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you want to catch every bit of Zach Cherry's Marvel journey, here is exactly what you need to watch in order:
- Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017): Look for the street vendor scene early in the film. This is the "Do a Flip" origin story.
- Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021): The bus fight is the centerpiece. Watch for his commentary and his "martial arts training" brag.
- Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021): Listen closely during the news montages about Peter Parker’s identity reveal; you’ll hear a callback to his original line.
- Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2025): Check out the animated series where Klev finally gets to see Spidey do a flip without even asking.
Beyond the MCU, if you haven't seen Zach in Severance, stop what you’re doing and go watch it. It’s a completely different energy—dark, corporate, and intense—but it proves why he was the perfect choice to bring a little bit of humanity to the chaos of a Marvel bus fight.
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