Simu Liu Criticizes Hollywood‘s “Appalling” Regression in Asian Depiction
Simu Liu voiced strong concernsโ Sunday about a perceived decline in opportunities for Asian actors in Hollywood, taking โto Threads to call out what he describedโ as a troubling “backslide” in representation. The โactor shared reports of Asian performers struggling to secure meaningful roles, sparking a conversation about ongoing systemic issues within the industry.
Despite recent successes of films led by asian actors, Liu argues studios continue to view Asian-led projects as financiallyโ risky, a double standard โheโข finds deeply frustrating. This comes at a time when the industry is grappling with calls for greater diversity and inclusion, and as Asian representation had begun to gain momentum following breakthroughs in recent years. The issue impacts not only actorsโฃ seeking work,โ but also the broader effort โฃto create a more equitableโ and representative entertainmentโ landscape.
Liu cited a string of critically and commercially successful films featuring Asian leads – including “Minari,” “The Farewell,” “past Lives,” “Everything Everywhere All Atโ Once,”โ “Crazy Rich Asians,” and his own Marvel film, “Shang-Chi and the โฃLegend โof the Ten Rings” -โ as evidence โฃagainst theโ perceived risk. “Every single one a โfinancial success,” he wrote. He further highlightedโ a disparityโข in risk tolerance, stating, “No Asian โขactor has ever lost โa studio even close to 100 millionโ dollars but a white dude will lose 200 million TWICE and roll right into โthe next tentpole lead.”
“Put some Asians in literally anything right now,” Liu urged. “The amount ofโ backslide in our representation onscreen โฃis fucking โขappalling. Studios think we are risky.”
In aโค recent interview with Variety, liu acknowledged โคa growing โwillingness to speak out despite potential backlash. “I โshould problably be more scared,” he said, “but my appetite to speak my mind and stand up for what I โbelieve often overcomes my fears.” He expressed frustration with the negativity prevalent online, stating, “There’s something about the internet that makes people just crazyโฆpeople love โbeing the guy to put someone else down [or] put an entireโฃ group ofโข people down. I am so not for that โคenergy.”
