Simu Liu has refuted Quentin Tarantino’s comments in which he called out the “Marvel-ization of Hollywood” and pointed out that he doesn’t think the Marvel actors should be considered movie stars.
Tarantino said that superhero movies vary from other genres because the story centers around an already-developed character.
“Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is… you have all these actors who have become famous playing these characters. But they’re not movie stars. Right? Captain America is the star. Or Thor is the star,” He said in an interview with Tom Segura for his podcast 2 Bears, 1 Cave.
He added, “I mean, I’m not the first person to say that. I think that’s been said a zillion times, you know, but, you know, but it’s like, you know, it’s these franchise characters that become a star.”
The Pulp Fiction director clarified that while he doesn’t love Marvel movies, he doesn’t hate them either.
“There’s an aspect that if these movies were coming out when I was in my twenties, I would totally be fucking happy and totally love them. I mean, they wouldn’t be the only movies being made. They would be those movies amongst other movies. But, you know, I’m almost 60, so yeah. No, I’m not quite as excited about them,” he added.
However, Simu Liu, star of Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, rebutted Tarantino’s comment, calling him a “gate keeper”.
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“If the only gatekeepers to movie stardom came from Tarantino and Scorsese, I would never have had the opportunity to lead a $400 million plus movie. I am in awe of their filmmaking genius. They are transcendent auteurs. But they don’t get to point their nose at me or anyone,” he tweeted.
“No movie studio is or ever will be perfect. But I’m proud to work with one that has made sustained efforts to improve diversity onscreen by creating heroes that empower and inspire people of all communities everywhere. I loved the ‘Golden Age’ too… but it was white as hell.”
No movie studio is or ever will be perfect. But I’m proud to work with one that has made sustained efforts to improve diversity onscreen by creating heroes that empower and inspire people of all communities everywhere.
I loved the “Golden Age” too.. but it was white as hell.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) November 22, 2022
If the only gatekeepers to movie stardom came from Tarantino and Scorsese, I would never have had the opportunity to lead a $400 million plus movie.
I am in awe of their filmmaking genius. They are transcendent auteurs. But they don’t get to point their nose at me or anyone.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) November 22, 2022
