Simu Liu Reflects on Barriers to Playing James Bond

Simu Liu, best known for his roles in Shang-Chi and Barbie, has long championed the cause of greater Asian visibility in the film industry. In a recent conversation, he addressed the prospect of an Asian actor stepping into the shoes of iconic characters such as James Bond or Jason Bourne, expressing a rather sobering outlook on the matter.

Despite his success in major productions, Liu admitted he is all too aware that opportunities for Asian actors to portray such legendary figures are virtually non-existent. He remarked,

Knowing that I would never get an opportunity to play a role like Bond, something like the Alexander Hale character is such a blessing because his cultural identity is really baked into his character.

He went on to add,

Fighting for representation for all marginalised communities is important, but it can sometimes suck if you’re not a part of that conversation.

Asian Actors and the Hollywood System

Liu has not shied away from discussing the difficulties Asian performers face in the industry. He has pointed out that, unlike their white counterparts, Asian actors are rarely given the benefit of the doubt when it comes to box office performance. He noted that even when a film led by an Asian cast underperforms, the consequences are far more severe for those involved.

On social media, Liu commented that Asian actors are seldom afforded the chance to recover from a commercial flop, stating,

Put some Asians in literally anything right now. The amount of backslide in our representation onscreen is f*cking appalling. Studios think we are risky…

He continued,

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.

Industry Attitudes and the Search for New Heroes

While Liu’s perspective is shared by many, he acknowledges that not every production company views Asian talent as a risk. Nevertheless, the scarcity of high-profile roles for Asian actors remains a significant issue. He suggests that the industry’s reluctance to cast Asian leads in established franchises is rooted in longstanding biases rather than any proven financial risk.

Daniel Craig, who played Bond for the final time in 2021’s No Time to Die, once addressed the question of whether the role should be given to a woman. He argued,

There should simply be better parts for women and actors of colour. Why should a woman play James Bond when there should be a part just as good as James Bond, but for a woman?

This sentiment could well apply to actors of Asian descent, hinting at the need for original, equally compelling characters rather than simply recasting existing ones.

James Bond: The Current Landscape

No Time to Die, directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga and starring Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, and Rami Malek, was released in September 2021. The film received a 7.3/10 rating on IMDb and an 83% score on Rotten Tomatoes, earning $774 million worldwide. Produced by Eon Productions, it is available to stream on Amazon.

The debate over who should inherit the mantle of Bond continues, but for now, the door remains firmly closed to many. Whether the industry will embrace a broader vision of its heroes is a question that lingers.