Simu Liu Says Asian Actors Now Seen as “Risky” by Studios as Michelle Yeoh, Ke Huy Quan, & Others Score Huge Roles in Hollywood Blockbusters

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On Sunday night, actor Simu Liu, known for his role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, publicly criticized the film industry. In a post on Threads, he urged filmmakers to include more Asian actors in all types of roles, expressing his disappointment and concern that Asian representation in movies and television is actually decreasing, which he called “appalling.”

On Sunday, Simu Liu shared a strong statement on Threads expressing his concern that Asian representation in Hollywood is declining.

As a lifelong movie fan, it honestly frustrates me how little Asian representation we’re seeing right now. It feels like we’ve taken steps backward, and it’s incredibly disappointing. It’s like studios are afraid to take a chance on us, which is just… baffling, honestly.

— Variety (@Variety) November 26, 2025

He feels fewer movies are casting Asian actors because studios see them as a gamble. However, he pointed to successful Asian-led films like Minari, Past Lives, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as evidence against that idea.

“Every single one a financial success,” he noted.

Almost all the movies on his list are self-contained comedies or dramas. The only exception is his own film, Shang-Chi, a Marvel movie from 2021 that doesn’t currently have a sequel planned. While his character is confirmed to be in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, he’s recently hinted online that he’d like to star in his own movie again.

Shang-Chi Sequel Drama

I have to admit, I was intrigued by what seemed like a subtle dig from director James Gunn last fall. Warner Bros. announced a Superman sequel remarkably quickly after the first film came out, and Gunn’s only response was a completely deadpan emoji. It definitely felt like he was letting everyone know he wasn’t thrilled with how things were going over at Marvel, and maybe hinting at a little competition!

😐

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) September 4, 2025

Although Shang-Chi earned a solid $432 million worldwide, it likely would have made even more if it had been released in China. However, the film was blocked by Chinese censors because the lead actor, who was born in China, previously called his home country a “third-world” country with widespread hunger.

Superman, it should be noted, pulled in a modest $7 million in its debut weekend in China.

You don’t need to look as far as China to find people Liu has upset. The actor has managed to alienate audiences right here at home.

Culinary Conflicts

In October 2024, while on the Canadian business reality show Dragon’s Den (similar to Shark Tank), investor Liu sparked controversy. Two entrepreneurs from Quebec City presented their version of boba tea, and Liu accused them of cultural appropriation, claiming they were taking a traditionally Asian drink and attempting to improve upon it. He also asserted that boba tea’s originating culture was “his culture.”

Okay, so this whole thing with Boba blew up, and honestly, it was a bit frustrating to watch. It started because someone claimed Boba originated in China, but it actually comes from Taiwan. Then, when people pointed that out, he got a ton of backlash – and rightfully so – for acting like all Asian cultures are just one big thing. It’s just… not how it works, you know? Each culture is unique, and it’s important to recognize that.

Recently, Liu had a public disagreement online with Vince Dao. Dao, a conservative commentator, criticized a video showing someone eating rice with their hands, calling it “barbaric” and “gross” based on his family’s Vietnamese and Italian customs.

Liu responded with a harsh insult, accusing the other person of trying to appeal to white conservatives by criticizing their own culture. While this type of online outburst isn’t unusual, it’s a poor image for an actor hoping to star in big-budget movies.

Even though Liu believes otherwise, Hollywood appears willing to create stories featuring people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, including Asian stories.

The Actors

Moviegoers might be surprised to hear that film studios often see Asian-led projects as financially risky. However, even ignoring the huge popularity of anime in the United States, this idea doesn’t really stand up to close examination.

Geeks + Gamers has highlighted a number of Asian actors currently starring in major films. Here are a few examples:

  • Michelle Yeoh in Wicked and Wicked: For Good
  • Ke Huy Quan in Love Hurts and Zootopia 2
  • Jackie Chan in Karate Kid: Legends and the just-announced Rush Hour 4

Ultimately, Simu Liu’s frustration doesn’t seem to be about a general lack of Asian actors in Hollywood, but rather about not being personally recognized. This might be something he could address himself.

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2025-11-27 18:58