Simu Liu, despite reaching a high level of fame akin to Marvel’s success, expresses frustration with the entertainment industry and his career trajectory. The Canadian actor believes that Asian-led projects are still perceived as risky endeavors, despite the proven track record of box office hits such as “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Minari,” “The Farewell,” “Past Lives,” and “Everything Everywhere All at Once.”
Liu, who hails from China but grew up in Toronto, highlights the success of 2021’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” a Marvel film in which he starred, grossing $432 million worldwide during the pandemic. While exploring various creative avenues like voice acting, music, reality TV appearances, and hosting events, Liu continues to find himself in supportive roles rather than leading ones.
The actor emphasizes that decision-makers in Hollywood tend to gravitate towards familiar, less risky options during industry downturns, attributing this to a lack of diversity among key figures. Liu draws parallels between his personal experiences and those of his character in “The Copenhagen Test,” a spy thriller series where he plays a government analyst grappling with identity and suspicion.
Despite recent strides in BIPOC representation on screen, Liu points out a decline in Asian character roles in recent years, showcasing a disconnect in decision-making processes. He cites instances like the delayed sequel to “Crazy Rich Asians” and the underestimation of the success potential of “KPop Demon Hunters” as indicative of this disconnect.
Looking ahead, Liu remains grateful for opportunities like “The Copenhagen Test” and eagerly anticipates reprising his role as Shang-Chi in “Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday” and making his Broadway debut in “Oh, Mary!” as a means to reignite his creative passion amid industry challenges.