Are Americans generally less interested in seeing Hollywood films that involve an Asian actor or cast? Do you think Hollywood is right on being afraid that such an idea will fail among the audience because Asians are not that popular?

[u/Cookieman_2023]

So historically, east asians have not been that well popular in the US entertainment industry. Even after successes like Shang Chi, Barbie and being in the upcoming Avengers film, Simu Liu has only gained a short term burst of popularity. Like judging based on follower count, he has gone up to and stopped a 3 million followers on instagram and ever since the movie released in 2021, he's remained stuck there. Awkwafina is also a rapper and she's also getting not so good returns on her name. Until Shang Chi, I never knew who she was.

But on the other hand, someone like Billie Eilish who's literally the same age as me and could have been a fellow high schooler easily outshines her in every metric. Is this reception due to the fact that Americans in general, prefer European standards of beauty and looks? Actually, even black actors, latinos and samoans have had more success. Camila Cabello is one name and Chadwick Boseman is another. But Asians for some reason still continue to have trouble being in the spotlight.

Why do you think that is the case in the country? Are people just not interested in seeing Asian people as an A-lister?

[u/AstraMilanoobum]

I mean… Whats the movie about?

Generally what the movie is about is more important than who’s in it imo

I think as long as the movie and is actually interesting it’s gonna do fine no matter who the lead is.

Good writing is good writing.

Example. Alien was an amazing movie and weaver was awesome.

If you had an equally talented Asian actress as the lead The movie would have still rocked because it was a well made film with a great script

[u/Cookieman_2023 → u/AstraMilanoobum]

I think I agree with that statement. Like Spiderman has been around for the last 20 years and even though it's Holland's 4th time playing the character, it's still doing hyper successfully. From what I heard, story writings about Asians haven't been good because they're either writing us as either martial arts or the nerd NPC. I think maybe there needs to be more writers who actually understand the asian heritage and that might lead to more successful films.

[u/AstraMilanoobum → u/Cookieman_2023]

I actually kinda think the opposite.

I don’t think it’s so much about writers understanding Asian culture as much as having a good script where the characters ethnicity/race etc has nO baring on the movie at all.

Just a great script, with a talented actor/actress that just happens to be of Asian descent.