Simu Liu has openly criticized the entertainment industry for persistent issues with diversity, focusing attention on the prejudice that Asian actors continue to encounter in Hollywood productions. The Marvel actor, set to reprise his leading role in the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday arriving next year, made his comments at a time when representation in film is drawing increased concern within the industry and among audiences.
Liu’s Expanding Career Across Major Films and Series
Liu’s career momentum continues to build, having gained recognition not only for his breakthrough in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings but also for his roles in high-profile projects such as Barbie, directed by Greta Gerwig. His performance in Barbie as a comedic foil to Ryan Gosling’s character garnered attention, and he has contributed his voice to the popular Netflix animated feature In Your Dreams. Additional credits include involvement in Star Wars: Visions, Amazon’s animated Invincible, Arthur the King, and Gremlins: Secrets of the Mogwai, demonstrating his versatile talent across genres and platforms.
Direct Criticism of Industry Representation and Financial Double Standards
Taking to Threads, Liu called for action regarding Asian visibility in entertainment, writing:
put some asians in literally anything right now. the amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is f**king appalling.
— Simu Liu, Actor
He further addressed the industry’s assumptions about Asian-led films, pointing to a history of financial and critical accomplishment for such projects. Liu asserted:
studios think we’re “risky”. minari farewell past lives everything everywhere crazy rich shang chi. 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.
— Simu Liu, Actor
Liu’s remarks highlight a disparity in how studios handle financial risks, noting that failure is often forgiven more readily for white actors than their Asian counterparts, who may face disproportionate consequences after a single underperforming project. His comments were in response to ongoing discussions about casting biases in Hollywood, sparked by other high-profile industry voices and reported fan observations.
Recent Success Stories Challenge Industry Bias
Movies cited by Liu, such as Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Minari, The Farewell, and Past Lives, have all achieved box office and critical success while bringing Asian actors and stories into focus. Crazy Rich Asians, with its all-Asian lead cast, became both a commercial and cultural milestone, while Everything Everywhere All at Once swept prestigious awards and saw Michelle Yeoh become the first Asian woman to win the Oscar for Best Lead Actress.
Ke Huy Quan’s return to mainstream attention, after years out of the spotlight due to limited opportunities for Asian actors, was another significant result of Everything Everywhere All at Once. Quan’s performance earned him an Academy Award, strengthening the case for increased diversity in major roles. The more understated films Minari, The Farewell, and Past Lives also drew praise for their storytelling and performances, reinforcing the strong performance of Asian-led movies both in the U.S. and globally.
Challenges Persist Despite Growing Recognition
While many recent Asian-led productions have found success, Liu argues that Asian actors still face systemic barriers. In a post-pandemic context where movies commonly struggle at the box office, the expectations placed on Asian talent appear especially unforgiving. Liu’s outspoken remarks resonate with a broader push for equitable treatment in casting and risk assessment, as ongoing conversations across media and social platforms continue to highlight disparities within the film industry.
Simu Liu, now a prominent advocate and trailblazer for better inclusion, is set to continue his impact on both screen and industry dialogue. He is slated to lead a planned Shang-Chi sequel, is developing new projects like the action-fantasy series The Copenhagen Test, and will appear in Seven Wonders, based on the novel by Ben Mezrich. As Liu advances in Hollywood, his call for greater fairness and opportunity underscores the challenges and hopes facing Asian talent and their audiences around the world.
