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4h ago

Simu Liu Says Hollywood Is Backsliding on Asian Representation, Mislabeling Asian-Led Projects as Risky

USC Annenberg data showing a 2024 drop in Asian speaking roles underpins his warning.

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Photography by Darius Carter for Collider
Simu Liu attends the special screening of The Copenhagen Test at the Whitby Hotel in New York, on Dec. 16. Liu plays a Chinese American government intelligence analyst in the new show.

Overview

  • The Canadian actor argues studios have reverted to risk-averse habits that sideline Asian leads despite years of proven hits and profits.
  • USC’s Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reports Asian speaking roles fell from 18.4% in 2023 to 13.5% in 2024 as white characters rose from 55.7% to 63.6%.
  • Liu cites successes from Crazy Rich Asians and Shang‑Chi to 2025’s breakout KPop Demon Hunters to counter perceptions that Asian-led projects are a gamble.
  • He points to stalled or underestimated decisions, noting no greenlight for a Crazy Rich Asians sequel and Sony selling KPop Demon Hunters to Netflix, where it became the platform’s most-watched film ever.
  • Liu promotes The Copenhagen Test, which streams Thursday on StackTV and premieres on Showcase Jan. 6, and he is set for a February Broadway debut in Oh, Mary! before returning as Shang‑Chi in Avengers: Doomsday next December.