Marvel star Simu Liu just called out Asian representation in Hollywood in one of the most direct ways possible. On the social media platform Threads, Simu Liu revealed that Asian actors do not have the luxury of starring in a failed movie, unlike “a white dude”.
The actor went on to talk about the absence of funding for Asian-led movies and how Hollywood studios often think that the movies might be risky business.
Put some Asians in literally anything right now. The amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is f*cking appalling. Studios think we are risky…
He continued,
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.
Well, the actor did put his opinion on social media, and although it is a bad move to do, if you’re in the limelight, Simu Liu reveals that he isn’t as afraid of the public backlash as he should be.
Simu Liu Feels He Should ‘Be More Scared’ of Backlash
Before his infamous box office comparison, the actor revealed in an interview with Variety that he should probably be more scared of the backlash because the internet is not the best of places.
According to the actor, the internet feels like a place where people enjoy stomping on other people.
I probably should be more scared of it [the backlash]. I just feel like there’s something about the internet that makes people just crazy.
He continued,
There’s something about the publicness of it and where people love being the guy to put someone else down [or] put an entire group of people down. I am so not for that energy.
Well, Liu is indeed right in his statements about the internet as well as Asian representation since The Good Place star Manny Jacinto shared an incident with the world.
Simu Liu’s Strong Answer Was Partly in Response to Manny Jacinto’s Own Struggles
Manny Jacinto as Jason Mendoza in a still from The Good Place | Credits: Fremulon
Finding his breakthrough role as Jason Mendoza in The Good Place, Manny Jacinto found several more projects like Star Wars: The Acolyte, Top Gun: Maverick, and Freakier Friday.
However, during his conversation with ScreenRant, the actor lightly brushed up on the subject of getting pigeon-holed as an actor.
This industry is always a little weird. Now I think I’m getting dad roles, or dad auditions. I’m like, ‘Guys, I don’t think that’s me yet. I’m sorry. Let’s pull it back.’
He continued,
Just because I’m stubborn. I hate being put in any box. The stubborn artist in me wants to just do anything and everything.
The comments come after Manny Jacinto portrayed the role of Eric Reyes in Freakier Friday. In response to fans asking for more Asian representation in Hollywood, Simu Liu couldn’t keep his cool.
Do you think Asian representation has remained largely unchanged? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Freakier Friday is available to stream on Disney+ (USA).
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
