Simu Liu Says the ‘Backslide’ of Asian Representation in Hollywood Is ‘F—ing Appalling’: ‘Studios Think We Are Risky’

Simu Liu took to Threads on Sunday to post a fiery message about the “backslide” of Asian representation in Hollywood. In the post, he included social media reports about Asian actors struggling to find fulfilling roles.

“Put some Asians in literally anything right now,” he wrote. “The amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is fucking appalling. Studios think we are risky.”

Despite this perceived risk, Liu listed several films starring Asian actors that were critical successes, including “Minari,” “Farewell,” “Past Lives,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “Crazy Rich Asians” and his Marvel tentpole “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.”

He added, “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 a history of being vocal on social media, especially when it comes to speaking out against right-leaning politics. He told Variety in a recent interview that he “should probably be more scared” of backlash, but his appetite to speak his mind and stand up for what he believes often overcomes his fears.

“I just feel like there’s something about the internet that makes people just crazy,” Liu said. “There’s something about the publicness of it and where people love being the guy to put someone else down put an entire group of people down. I am so not for that energy.”