Marvel star Simu Liu recently called out Hollywood for its lack of Asian representation while also pointing out how most major films led by Asian actors in recent years have been big successes. He seemed to be furious about how white actors continued getting lead roles even after bombing at the box office while Asian actors struggled to get major leads.
Simu Liu slams Hollywood for lack of on-screen representation of Asian actors
The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actor had a fiery response to a fan who discussed casting Asian actors in romantic lead roles.
Sharing the post on Threads, Simu Liu called out Hollywood for its lack of Asian representation. “Put some Asians in literally anything right now. The amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is f—–g appalling,” he wrote before adding, “Studios think we’re risky.”
Liu also pointed out that many of the big films of the past few years, led by Asian cast members, have done brilliantly. He mentioned Minari, Farewell, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shang-Chi as examples, all of which remain popular.
“Every single one a financial success. No Asian actor has ever lost a studio even close to 100 million dollars, but a white dude will lose 200 million TWICE and roll right into the next tentpole lead. We’re fighting a deeply prejudiced system, and most days it SUCKS,” the Last Breath star concluded.
Notably, this is not the first time that the 36-year-old has called out the system and its inherent bias. Two years back, he replied to a social media post claiming that he was getting the bulk of Asian roles.
Simu Liu stated, “Way to attempt to put us against one another. What ‘bulk’ of roles are you referring to? Are there movies I’m in that I’m not aware of? Do you really think that there is a quota of ‘Asian male roles’ that is a zero sum game? Everything I have taken post Shang-Chi was not written Asian. We’ve been able to reshape stories to get more representation onscreen. Get your facts straight.”
Meanwhile, on the work front, Liu is soon set to appear in the TV series, The Copenhagen Test. He will also be reprising his role as Shang-Chi in Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday.
