Key takeaways (read this first)
- Simu Liu says building a long career in Hollywood is harder when you’re not white—and he still feels an “uphill battle.”
- He expected more leading-role offers after Shang-Chi, but says many roles coming his way weren’t “number one” parts.
- Liu explains why many Asian actors move into producing, writing, or directing: to create the roles they want, instead of waiting for them.
Simu Liu opens up about race and career reality in Hollywood
Simu Liu is getting candid about what success looks like after a breakthrough—and why he believes the climb is steeper for actors who aren’t white.
In a recent interview, the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star said he wishes he had known earlier that Hollywood success is a marathon, not a single moment. But he added an uncomfortable truth from his perspective: it’s “a lot harder” when you’re not white, and the system can make it easier for certain actors to land role after role once they get their big break.
Liu acknowledged that some may see his comments as controversial, but he framed them as lived experience—watching how careers move for different actors once “the moment” arrives.
“It becomes infinitely easier” — and he says that hasn’t happened for him
Liu described a pattern he’s observed since his MCU breakthrough: once some actors get their first major spotlight, their next projects come faster and more consistently.
For him, he says, it hasn’t worked that way.
He shared that even now, he questions the kinds of offers he gets—saying he wishes the material were stronger and that the path forward felt less like a daily fight.
After Shang-Chi, he expected more leading roles
One of Liu’s biggest admissions was that he was surprised by how few true lead roles came his way after Shang-Chi.
He said he was offered:
- smaller-budget projects
- third- or fourth-lead parts
- occasional villain roles
- supporting roles that mattered, but weren’t the “main character” or audience proxy
He emphasized that he’s not ungrateful—just honest about the gap between what he expected after a major hit and what actually showed up.
And he pointed to a “what if” comparison: he believes if the same breakout had happened to an actor who “looked differently,” the lead offers would’ve arrived faster and in greater volume.
Why he says Asian actors often “wear multiple hats”
Liu also spoke about a sobering realization: there are directors he admires who he believes will never hire him—and he’s had to make peace with that.
That’s where his mindset shifts from frustration to strategy.
He explained why so many Asian actors eventually step into producing, writing, or directing: because waiting for the industry to pick you can mean waiting forever. In his view, the answer is building the skill set to choose yourself and get your own projects made.
He referenced actors like Dev Patel as examples of performers who expanded into multiple roles to shape their opportunities and material.
The bigger picture: what Liu’s comments reflect about casting power
Liu’s perspective taps into a larger conversation in entertainment: representation isn’t only about being seen on screen—it’s about who gets:
- the “default lead” roles
- the biggest development deals
- the audience-surrogate characters
- long-term career momentum after a hit
His remarks also highlight how quickly public perception can shift: a single breakout can look like “arrival,” while the behind-the-scenes reality can still be a negotiation for access, taste-making, and opportunity.
Bottom line
Simu Liu isn’t saying he hasn’t had success—he’s saying success doesn’t automatically translate into equal access to the kinds of roles that build longevity. From his perspective, Hollywood still makes it harder for non-white actors to turn a big moment into a long run, which is why he’s focused on creating more of his own opportunities.
