“Deeply Prejuctice System” – Simu Liu’s Disappointment On Hollywood’s Weak Asian Representation
Simu Liu, the star of Marvel’s “Shang-Chi “and the “Legend of the Ten Rings”, recently took to social media to call out Hollywood’s “f****** appalling” backslide in Asian representation, a conversation that Liu says is long overdue. The global icon of the first Asian-led Marvel blockbuster is using his platform to point out a frustrating double standard.
The Message on Threads
In a fiery post on Threads, Simu Liu laid out a compelling case, pointing to a string of critically acclaimed and financially successful films led by Asian talent. He name-drops a few Asian-heavy cast movies – “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “Minari,” and “The Farewell”. Each one of the exampled films proved that movies centered on Asian characters aren’t just “risky” gambles; they’re certified hits. Yet, as Liu points out, the industry narrative remains stubbornly unchanged.
We’ve all seen major blockbusters with white male leads bomb spectacularly, only for those same actors to be handed another nine-figure budget movie. Meanwhile, as Liu colorfully puts it, “a white dude will lose 200 million TWICE and roll right into the next tentpole lead.” Studios profit from these successes but revert to old habits, deeming Asian-led projects a risk. The system, as Liu states in an Independent article, is “deeply prejudiced. And most days it SUCKS.”
Simu Liu Is Not The Only One Frustrated With Typecasting
Simu Liu’s frustration isn’t a random post; his comments came in response to a broader social media discussion about the limited, often stereotypical roles offered to Asian male actors. One example is the typecasting of Manny Jacinto as the “single dad.” After playing a single dad in “Freakier Friday,” Jacinto found himself flooded with “dad roles.” Jacinto, a vibrant actor in his 30s, had to tell casting directors, “Guys, I don’t think that’s me yet… Let’s pull it back.”
These aren’t isolated incidents; they’re part of a pattern that keeps talented actors from reaching their full potential. Fans still mourn the cancellation of “Selfie”, a show where John Cho was a charming, witty romantic lead opposite Karen Gillan—a rare and refreshing sight. Despite fan campaigns, the show was axed, and Cho has yet to be given another mainstream romantic lead role of that caliber.
Even the legendary Daniel Dae Kim, after decades in the industry, has publicly stated he’s “still waiting to play a romantic lead,” noting the long-held stereotype that Asian men aren’t seen as “handsome or sexy” by Hollywood standards.
Hollywood “Progress”
Films with an Asian-heavy cast that break through the mainstream, like “Shang-Chi” or “Crazy Rich Asians,” seem like a progressive shift away from the typecasting mold. However, Simu Liu’s latest comments point out that these moments often feel more like exceptions than the rule. The industry pats itself on the back for a single success, reaping the profits, but failing to build any lasting momentum.
Simu Liu isn’t a stranger to voicing his annoyance at the misinterpretations and issues. He recently called out an article from the HuffPost about how he is getting the “bulk of Asian male roles” without mentioning the overall scarcity of roles. He rightfully slammed the article for pitting actors against each other. He then clarifies that the post-“Shang-Chi” roles offered weren’t crafted with an Asian actor in mind. The role gets remolded to fit the on-screen representation, but the problem is written over.
Final Thoughts: Resolving Typecasting Issues
Hollywood loves a success story, but it seems to have a short memory when it comes to who delivers that success. Simu Liu is steadfast in fighting the good fight while risking the ire of powerful studio heads to speak a difficult truth. The film industry needs to open up to the fact that Asian-led films aren’t one-trick ponies but bankable projects with very talented personnel. Typecasting limits the narratives and creativity of projects and must be eliminated to make progress that lasts.
