Ah, Hollywood - famous for its glitz, glamour, and, let’s face it, its long history of racial issues. Superheroes? They’ve mostly followed the same pattern: DC’s Superman and Batman, Marvel’s Spider-Man - all iconic, but their skin color has remained... well, predictable. Thankfully, the tides are turning.
Take 2018’s Black Panther, for instance. A cultural and cinematic phenomenon, it broke records, shattered stereotypes, and brought African heritage to the forefront of mainstream media.
So, here we are - does Marvel’s new Shang-Chi stand as the Asian equivalent of Black Panther?
Shang-Chi’s jump from the comic books to the big screen is part of Marvel’s commitment to diversifying its superhero lineup for the next decade. Following Black Panther, Marvel has been spotlighting underrepresented groups with characters like Captain Marvel (2019), Black Widow (2021), and soon, a Black Captain America (Anthony Mackie). Upcoming projects feature even more diverse heroes, including Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Ironheart (Dominique Thorne), and a female Hawkeye (Hailee Steinfeld) set to make their debuts on Disney+.
But is Shang-Chi just an Asian Black Panther? Maybe. With director Destin Daniel Cretton, a Hawaiian-born filmmaker of Asian descent, and an almost entirely Asian cast, what’s the harm? Finally, kids of Asian descent have a hero they can look up to - a superhero who looks like them. Let’s be honest, didn’t we all dream of seeing someone like us in a cape when we were kids? Now there’s a “superman” with black hair and yellow skin, and that’s something worth celebrating!
Asian representation in Hollywood has often been limited to caricatures: the nerdy math whiz or the kung fu master inspired by the legendary Bruce Lee. Even Lee’s iconic image hasn’t escaped ridicule - look no further than Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
For years, the portrayal of Asian men in Western media contributed to insecurity, reinforcing outdated beauty standards and trapping them in roles as sidekicks or comedic relief. However, change is brewing. Films like Crazy Rich Asians, Always Be My Maybe, and Mortal Kombat have been pivotal, showcasing talented Asian actors like Henry Golding, Randall Park, and Lewis Tan. Hollywood is finally paying attention, breaking the mold of stiff, one-dimensional roles.
Enter Simu Liu, who embodies Shang-Chi with everything we want in a modern-day superhero. He’s strong yet vulnerable, hilarious yet introspective - and yes, undeniably sexy. His portrayal marks a turning point, proving Asian actors can command the screen as leading men.
The timing for Shang-Chi’s release wasn’t ideal - the pandemic has reshaped the moviegoing experience. The film had only a 45-day exclusive theatrical window before heading to Disney+, making it unlikely to replicate the blockbuster success of Black Panther. But its reception has been nothing short of stellar, boasting a 92% critics’ score and 98% audience approval on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 8.1 rating on IMDb.
For 32-year-old Simu Liu, this is just the beginning. From his days on Kim’s Convenience to becoming Marvel’s first Asian superhero, he’s paving the way for future generations to see themselves as strong, capable, and deserving of the spotlight.
So, here’s to Shang-Chi - a hero for the times and a step forward for representation in cinema.
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