Ray Chan, a highly respected production designer who played a key role in shaping the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has died at the age of 56. The news was confirmed by Marvel Studios on Friday.
Chan was known for his work on blockbuster films like Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. He had a long and successful career, collaborating with renowned directors such as Ridley Scott, Michael Apted, and James Mangold.
Born Dec. 1, 1967 in Oldham, Greater Manchester, Chan was raised by his parents, both immigrants from Hong Kong. He studied graphic design at the Liverpool School of Art before earning a Masters at Kingston Art College. His first entertainment credit came with the film The Secret Rapture in 1993, launching him into the world of film and commercial art departments.
Tributes poured in from his colleagues, with Ryan Reynolds, star of Deadpool, calling Chan “peerless” and “an incomparable reservoir of skill, tender grit and talent.” Reynolds highlighted Chan’s collaborative spirit and humanity, stating, “I don’t pretend to know every chapter of Ray’s heart, but I know it’s unusual to encounter someone with that level of artistry, who simultaneously moved through the world with such indelible humanity.”
Deadpool & Wolverine director Shawn Levy added, “Ray did more than design the world of our movie; he lit up the world around him. Truly, anyone who knew Ray…experienced this beacon of a man: kind, warm, tenaciously devoted, and relentlessly inspiring.”
A Marvel Mainstay
Chan’s career with Marvel began in 2013 with Thor: The Dark World, where he served as supervising art director. He went on to play a vital role in numerous MCU films, including Guardians of the Galaxy, Doctor Strange, and Spider-Man: Far From Home. His talent for world-building was evident as he brought to life the fantastical realms of Xandar and the Sanctum Sanctorum, alongside more grounded settings.
Award-Winning Artist
Chan’s exceptional work earned him nominations for the Art Directors Guild Award five times, winning twice for Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers: Endgame. Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige and Louis D’Esposito said in a joint statement, “Ray was first and foremost a good friend to everyone at Marvel Studios. He was a talented collaborator who brought creativity and attention to detail to every frame of every movie he worked on, and who was able to bring out the best in each department he worked with. He was the nicest human being and was such a pleasure to work with, hugely generous and the kind of person who could take the seed of an idea and turn it into something beautiful. We are devastated by his passing. He will be missed by everyone at Marvel and our sincerest condolences go out to his family and friends.”
A Life Beyond Film
Beyond his film career, Chan was a devoted family man. His family described him as someone who loved to cook, tinker with cars, and tend to his garden. “If not occupied with family or film, Ray would most likely have his mind set on one of the three things, each of which, in another life, Ray would have excelled in: food, cars, or his garden,” they said. He also had a surprising fondness for musicals, with The Sound of Music being a particular favorite.
Chan is survived by his wife, Lindsay, and his children, Caspar and Sebastian. His legacy will live on in the films he helped create, which have brought joy to millions of fans worldwide.
