Simu Liu has slammed Hollywood for a "appalling" lack of Asian representation
The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actor has put the film industry on blast for a lack of visibility when it comes to Asian actors on screen, despite box office success.
2 December 2025
He wrote on Threads: "Put some asians in literally anything right now. The amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is appalling."
He added that "studios think we're 'risky', while referencing the likes of Minari, Farewell, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Crazy Rich Asians and Marvel's Shang Chi.
He pointed out: "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."
Liu has been vocal about the issues in Hollywood, including in 2023 when he responded to an article claiming he was getting "the bulk of Asian male roles".
Replying on Facebook at the time, he commented: "Way to attempt to put us against one another. What 'bulk' of roles are you referring to?
"Are there movies I'm in that I'm not aware of? Do you really think that there is a quota of 'Asian male roles' that is a zero sum game?
"Every thing I have taken post Shang-Chi was not written Asian. We've been able to reshape stories to get more representation onscreen. Get your facts straight."
In 2023, Liu appeared in One True Loves, Simulant and Barbie on the big screen, while last year he was seen in Arthur the King, Atlas and Jackpot!
His 2025 film credits included Last Breath and a voice acting role for In your Dreams, while he will reprise the part of Shang-Chi in next year's Avengers: Doomsday.
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