Simu Liu Slams Hollywood Bias Toward Asians: ‘Studios Think We’re ‘Risky’’

Simu Liu is adding his voice to a growing conversation about how Asian actors are treated in Hollywood. The discussion started after audiences reacted to comments made by Manny Jacinto, who said he keeps getting roles that don’t match who he is or what he wants to play.

Jacinto spoke with Screen Rant about the kinds of parts he has been offered lately. He said that after earlier projects, people in the industry began sending him mostly father-type characters.

He joked about the shift and said, “Now I think I’m getting dad roles, or dad auditions. I’m like, ‘Guys, I don’t think that’s me yet. I’m sorry. Let’s pull it back.’” He explained that he never asked to be put in that category and felt it didn’t show what he could really do.

Fans quickly shared his comments online, saying they wanted to see him in bigger and more varied parts. As the discussion grew, Simu Liu joined in and said the situation reflects a bigger problem that Asian actors have been dealing with for years.

Liu wrote a long message responding to the topic and didn’t hold back about how frustrated he feels. He said, “put some asians in literally anything right now. the amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is f**** appalling. studios think we’re ‘risky’.”

He also pointed out that several movies led by Asian actors have been major successes, naming films like Minari, The Farewell, Past Lives, Everything Everywhere All at Once, Crazy Rich Asians, and Shang-Chi as examples of strong box-office returns. Liu said those results show that Asian talent can carry big projects and that Hollywood’s hesitation doesn’t make sense.

He added, “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.”

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