Simu Liu on Asian representation has sparked renewed debate after the actor criticized what he describes as a regression in opportunities for Asian performers in Hollywood, echoing broader frustrations over the lack of sustained diversity on screen. On November 23, 2025, Liu voiced these concerns through a series of online posts, urging the industry to increase casting of Asian actors and pointing out glaring disparities in how Hollywood treats Asian talent compared to their white counterparts.
Liu Calls Out Industry Patterns and Asks for Change
Following his breakout in Kim’s Convenience and leading role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Simu Liu has become one of the most visible Asian actors in Western cinema. His recent comments come as he prepares for a return as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday, on the heels of appearances in major films like Barbie and Netflix’s In Your Dreams.
On Threads, Liu highlighted the struggles shared by fellow Asian artists, including Manny Jacinto, John Chu, and Daniel Dae Kim, referencing their difficulty in landing lead roles. Accompanying his post, Liu shared:
Hollywood, put more Asian men in romantic lead roles.
— Simu Liu
Liu further intensified his message by stating:
Put some Asians in literally anything right now. The amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is f**king appalling.
— Simu Liu
Pointing to both critical and financial successes, Liu cited films like Minari, The Farewell, Past Lives, Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as evidence of the audience’s appetite for Asian-led stories.
Examining Alleged Double Standards in Casting and Success
Liu’s critique went beyond mere underrepresentation to highlight a recurring double standard. He contrasted the Hollywood careers of Asian actors with those of white male stars who frequently secure new leading roles, even after multiple box office failures. As Liu emphasized:
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.
— Simu Liu
This observation aligns with public cases such as Jared Leto, who led Morbius and Tron: Ares—both significant underperformers—yet remains tapped to play major characters, including Skeletor in the forthcoming Masters of the Universe film. Meanwhile, Asian actors often face limited second chances, regardless of prior box office or critical achievement.
Persistent Barriers Despite Box Office Success
The disparity Liu describes is evident in recent Hollywood history. Manny Jacinto saw his Top Gun: Maverick appearance cut, and the much-anticipated Crazy Rich Asians sequel has been mired in development limbo for seven years, despite the original film’s 2018 blockbuster status. Even with the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings during the COVID-19 era, Marvel Studios has not quickly prioritized a sequel for its breakout Asian hero, though Liu’s character will appear in the next Avengers installment.
Comparisons to Marvel’s handling of Captain America, Thor, and Ant-Man show a pattern where non-Asian leads may be fast-tracked, further supporting Liu’s point on preferential industry treatment. Liu has also previously called out media coverage, notably challenging a Huffington Post article for insinuating that Asian actors were competing against each other for scarce roles, a narrative he found divisive.
Future Prospects and Continuing the Conversation
The intensity of Simu Liu’s remarks and the examples he provides reflect an ongoing struggle for fair Asian representation across Hollywood. While some productions face criticism from certain quarters for being “woke,” Liu’s statements highlight that genuine, lasting inclusivity is far from fully realized. As he and other vocal figures keep these issues in the spotlight, studios and audiences alike are being asked to re-examine both casting practices and the stories prioritized on major screens.
The conversation provoked by Simu Liu on Asian representation suggests Hollywood must do more than simply celebrate isolated successes—it must ensure Asian talent is given equal opportunities to thrive, fail, and rise again, on par with their peers.
