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[Slayven]

Imagine a world where there are Asian actors out there with perfect English.. Americans, even!

I'd love to live in that world.

Lets not get crazy now, doesn't sound that believable.

 

[wandering]

Maybe Asian people should try to lead 10,20,30,40,50M budget movies before crying about being dismissed for leading one of the big budget movies.

Lucy Liu was the closest to get it, and it was 15 years ago.

You're acting like it's the fault of Asian actors..? As if Asian actors aren't trying or something?

What on earth are you on about

 

[Curler]

Lewis Tan wanted to be the Iron Fist. He had the physique and knew martial arts. They turned him down for a white dude who was incapable of delivering a convincing fight scene.

You can also argue that in this case, they were bring true to the source material. I haven't watched Iron Fist yet, but it sounds like they picked a poor choice for him.

 

[Poor GRIMES]

You're acting like it's the fault of Asian actors..?

Right?

It's so bad that Asian Americans in entertainment opted to go back to their national places of origin to get entertainment roles because Hollywood straight up wouldn't offer them anything other than caricatured roles. Daniel Henney, Tiffany and Jessica (from Girls' Generation), etc. are good examples of that. A more recent example would be Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead. Dude literally came off of the back of the biggest show on cable and he's struggling to find American roles lol.

It is definitely not the fault of Asian Americans. Hell, Bruno Mars had some pushback earlier in his career as well because he has Filipino descent.

 

[kmax]

Maybe Asian people should try to lead 10,20,30,40,50M budget movies before crying about being dismissed for leading one of the big budget movies.

Lucy Liu was the closest to get it, and it was 15 years ago.

What a terrible, racist comment. Maybe you should read up on how things work instead. Mid tier films have been on a decline for years, and are much harder to make today than they once were.

The problem is with the system, not the people in it.

 

[my name is ed]

Hidden Figures made more money than X-Men Apocalypse and Star Trek Beyond, which had well known leads and made below expectations. The reality is minorities can sell a movie it's just Hollywood doesn't give them the chance and pretends ScarJo is all we got.

The idea that star power is still a thing that draws people to movies and that you need a big name for a movie to succeed needs to die

 

[wazoo]

You're acting like it's the fault of Asian actors..? As if Asian actors aren't trying or something?

Not at all. What I say is that you can not climb a ladder from the top.

 

[Haly]

If Asian Americans could just bootstrap themselves into lead roles like Chris Evans and Chris Pratt did then this wouldn't be a problem.

 

[radios shipping overview]

Not at all. What I say is that you can not climb a ladder from the top.

You can't climb to the top when you're not given a ladder.

 

[Poor GRIMES]

Not at all. What I say is that you can not climb a ladder from the top.

It's funny how you outright ignore the multitude of examples of Asian American actors actually doing what you accused them of not though. It's awfully convenient to your point.

 

[Saya]

Asian actors just need to work harder. Like their white counterparts. Sigh.

 

[Jarmel]

If Asian Americans could just bootstrap themselves into lead roles like Chris Evans and Chris Pratt did then this wouldn't be a problem.

Evans paid his dues.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

The idea that star power is still a thing that draws people to movies and that you need a big name for a movie to succeed needs to die

I do believe star power does exist for some people but it is becoming super rare now when small movies with no names make a lot of money.

Edit: I worded this wrong. I'm saying it's rare for star power to exist today when a lot of small movies with no names make a lot of money.

 

[Poor GRIMES]

I do believe star power does exist for some people but it is becoming super rare now when small movies with no names make a lot of money.

Absolutely.

I just can't pinpoint any modern stars today with the same clout as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Leo DiCaprio. I feel like the real stars of today lie in franchises, maybe?

 

[ultracal31]

Not at all. What I say is that you can not climb a ladder from the top.

If we're going with your ladder analogy then most asian actors aren't even giving the chance to step on the bottom part of the ladder and yet that's somehow their fault at the same time?

 

[Slayven]

I do believe star power does exist for some people but it is becoming super rare now when small movies with no names make a lot of money.

You can count on one hand the people that can draw large crowds on their own. Brands killed the Megastar.

 

[2San]

Right?

It's so bad that Asian Americans in entertainment opted to go back to their national places of origin to get entertainment roles because Hollywood straight up wouldn't offer them anything other than caricatured roles. Daniel Henney, Tiffany and Jessica (from Girls' Generation), etc. are good examples of that. A more recent example would be Steven Yeun from The Walking Dead. Dude literally came off of the back of the biggest show on cable and he's struggling to find American roles lol.

It is definitely not the fault of Asian Americans. Hell, Bruno Mars had some pushback earlier in his career as well because he has Filipino descent.

The whole Steven Yeun situation is depressing.

 

[Zero315]

Maybe Asian people should try to lead 10,20,30,40,50M budget movies before crying about being dismissed for leading one of the big budget movies.

Lucy Liu was the closest to get it, and it was 15 years ago.

Steven Yeun still has to audition for the same bit roles as Bobby Lee

 

[jack_package_200]

I might buy the"asian actor led films don't generate as much profit" excuse from Hollywood if there was actual precedent for that belief. They haven't given Asian actors the shot to impress.

I get that filmmaking is a business that involves pleases your stakeholders but take a fucking risk.

 

[Slayven]

Steven Yeun still has to audition for the same bit roles as Bobby Lee

That broke my heart, i had hope they wouldn't do that in the show. Cause i know once he left we would probably never see him again. I think Yeun could easily carry a movie or show

 

[Frozenprince]

You can count on one hand the people that can draw large crowds on their own. Brands killed the Megastar.

I can't even think of one.

What, Tom Cruise? Denzel? Tom Hanks? That's probably it. The rest are all products of whatever movie they are in.

 

[BlueTsunami]

Not at all. What I say is that you can not climb a ladder from the top.

So you're saying Get Out didn't need Idris Elba?

I dont think ive ever heard anyone openly state, hey its that new Scarlett Johanson flick!

 

[lightskintwin]

The idea that star power is still a thing that draws people to movies and that you need a big name for a movie to succeed needs to die

You're saying that as if Hidden Figures didn't have star power with it's ensemble cast.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

It would defeat the purpose in acquiring the rights and adapting it for a western audience.

We talked about this in the Death Note thread and this sentiment still makes no sense. There are ASIAN Americans. You can have a completely westernized adaptation with Asians. Some of you are acting like Western adaptations require white people as main characters and anytime a minority led movie does well it's just brushed aside

 

[Poor GRIMES]

The whole Steven Yeun situation is depressing.

Steven Yeun still has to audition for the same bit roles as Bobby Lee

It's a disgusting situation.

I don't even know how one of the bigger stars in The Walking Dead can walk away from that show and be offered next to nothing for his participation in making the show a success. Jon Hamm, January Jones, and Bryan Cranston rode their TV fame all the way to being given opportunities in film roles but Steven Yeun? Nah. Too Asian.

 

[Haly]

If the reviews are accurate then Chin Han was also more or less edited down to a supporting role, but yeah he needs to try harder to make himself seen.

Totally.

 

[Frozenprince]

You're saying that as if Hidden Figures didn't have star power with it's ensemble cast.

I doubt most of the general public could name one of them.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

Absolutely.

I just can't pinpoint any modern stars today with the same clout as Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and Leo DiCaprio. I feel like the real stars of today lie in franchises, maybe?

Star power isn't important nowadays.

You can count on one hand the people that can draw large crowds on their own. Brands killed the Megastar.

Fassbender couldn't bring people to see Assassins Creed, thats for sure.

 

[george_us]

Yes, you'd rather that.

But I doubt the share holders of the company 'd rather it'
Rated R, low budget, Japanese actress. The sure way to get hundreds of millions.

Well that kind of begs the question of why they thought spending over a hundred million on a Ghost in the Shell movie would be a good thing.

 

[Jarmel]

Well that kind of begs the question on why they thought spending over a hundred million on a Ghost in the Shell movie would be a good thing.

People and stockholders are desparate for franchises nowadays.

 

[ultracal31]

It's a disgusting situation.

I don't even know how one of the bigger stars in The Walking Dead can walk away from that show and be offered next to nothing for his participation in making the show a success. Jon Hamm, January Jones, and Bryan Cranston rode their TV fame all the way to being given opportunities in film roles but Steven Yeun? Nah. Too Asian.

I think the sad thing is if he changed his name ala Chloe Wang to Bennet then he would be given a chance.

It shouldn't come to that point though

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Star power isn't important nowadays.

Fassbender couldn't bring people to see Assassins Creed, thats for sure.

Even Great Wall is considered a flop

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

Well that kind of begs the question on why they thought spending over a hundred million on a Ghost in the Shell movie would be a good thing.

Hollywood is looking towards anime adaptations to be the next big thing.

 

[Frozenprince]

Hollywood is looking towards anime adaptations to be the next big thing.

Eagerly awaiting the $160M Naruto movie.

 

[wazoo]

If we're going with your ladder analogy then most asian actors aren't even giving the chance to step on the bottom part of the ladder and yet that's somehow their fault at the same time?

I am not blaming the asian people. I say that the fight for relevance should be progressive or it will not happen at all.


I knew a time where being black was a problem and Sidney Poitier was the outlier. Will Smith, Denzel Washington ans more have proved that was not a problem.

And be realistic, if one asian actor can make money to studios, they will push him. Jet Li was very fast a money loser. Chow Yun Fat kills his western career very fast, and so on.

 

[Zoe]

I think the sad thing is if he changed his name ala Chloe Wang to Bennet then he would be given a chance.

It shouldn't come to that point though

Nah, she can get away with that because of her ambiguous looks.

 

[jack_package_200]

Hollywood could do Parts 1,2, maybe 3, and 5 of Jojo...ahhahahahaha

Eagerly awaiting the $160M Naruto movie.

*hissssssssssssssssss*

Don't even joke about that.

 

[lightskintwin]

I doubt most of the general public could name one of them.

I think you underestimate the general public.

 

[ElBoxyBrown]

Eagerly awaiting the $160M Naruto movie.

Don't be surprise if that happens. Power Rangers isn't gonna be enough for Lionsgate.

 

[Frozenprince]

I am not blaming the asian people. I say that the fight for relevance should be progressive or it will not happen at all.


I knew a time where being black was a problem and Sidney Poitier was the outlier. Will Smith, Denzel Washington ans more have proved that was not a problem.

And be realistic, if one asian actor can make money to studios, they will push him. Jet Li was very fast a money loser. Chow Yun Fat kills his western career very fast, and so on.

Again you are missing the point.

None of these prominent asain American actors are even afforded the opportunity to try for even a supporting role.

 

[Jarmel]

Anno needs to get cracking on that Hollywood EVA movie.

That way he can stall making 4.0 for even longer.

 

[Frozenprince]

Don't be surprise if that happens. Power Rangers isn't gonna be enough for Lionsgate.

Fox is making a $150M Gambit movie.

Nothing surprises me anymore.

 

[Poor GRIMES]

I think you underestimate the general public.

If we're talking about the GP, then A-List Actors are the ones that you're looking for. I don't think anyone in Hidden Figures is in the A-List. I might be wrong though, I only took a cursory glance at the casting.

 

[ultracal31]

And be realistic, if one asian actor can make money to studios, they will push him. Jet Li was very fast a money loser. Chow Yun Fat kills his western career very fast, and so on.

As pointed out above, Steven Yeun has to be fight for roles despite being on a hit tv shows

Nah, she can get away with that because of her ambiguous looks.

“I was having trouble booking things with my last name. I think it was hard for people to cast me as an ethnic, as an Asian American woman,” says Bennet in an interview with the Star. “But I still wanted to keep my dad’s name, and I wanted to respect him, so I used his first name.”

 

[UnemployedVillain]

Anno needs to get cracking on that Hollywood EVA movie.

That way he can stall making 4.0 for even longer.

Did you not watch Shin Godzilla?

 

[Jarmel]

Did you not watch Shin Godzilla?

You're right, the English part would be hard for him. He can still storyboard it.

 

[Zoe]

”I was having trouble booking things with my last name. I think it was hard for people to cast me as an ethnic, as an Asian American woman," says Bennet in an interview with the Star. ”But I still wanted to keep my dad's name, and I wanted to respect him, so I used his first name."

The difference is when she walks into the room, they're not going to see an Asian woman. They'll see a typical girl, possibly with some exotic features.

When Steven Smith walks into the room, they're not going to look past his single eyelids.

Most people don't realize Chloe Bennet is Asian until it's pointed out. That was even the case with Kristin Kreuk to a lesser degree.

 

[UnemployedVillain]

If we're talking about the GP, then A-List Actors are the ones that you're looking for. I don't think anyone in Hidden Figures is in the A-List. I might be wrong though, I only took a cursory glance at the casting.

They're not. The biggest ones are well known TV actors like Taraji Henson and Jim Parsons, musicians like Janelle Monae, or actors who haven't been A-list in over a decade like Kevin Costner. It was NOT successful because of star power. There was no indication that was the driving force

 

[Line_HTX]

More movies need big stars like Zhang Ziyi and Jing Tian, especially Jing Tian from The Great Wall.

 

[anaron]

It's a disgusting situation.

I don't even know how one of the bigger stars in The Walking Dead can walk away from that show and be offered next to nothing for his participation in making the show a success. Jon Hamm, January Jones, and Bryan Cranston rode their TV fame all the way to being given opportunities in film roles but Steven Yeun? Nah. Too Asian.

Hollywood is fucked. It infuriates me.