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Lucy Liu Says Hollywood Stereotypes Stalled Her Career as She Prepares First Dramatic Lead in Rosemead

She says industry typecasting plus marketability judgments limited roles, prompting her to produce Rosemead.

Overview

  • Liu, 56, told The Hollywood Reporter she believes she would have had many more opportunities if she looked Caucasian.
  • Rosemead took years to finance with 16 investors, and Liu says distributors initially balked over profitability concerns.
  • Directed by Eric Lin and adapted from a 2017 Los Angeles Times article, the film casts Liu as Irene, a Chinese immigrant whose son is diagnosed with schizophrenia.
  • The performance follows what Liu calls a 'strange lull' tied to labeling such as the 'Dragon Lady' critique after Kill Bill and offers she viewed as disrespectful.
  • Rosemead opens in U.S. theaters Dec. 5, the same day Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair returns to cinemas, with Liu also attached to The Devil Wears Prada 2 for May 1, 2026.