Simu Liu has reacted to Quentin Tarantino's remarks on Marvel and how the films have rendered cinema stars useless.
"If Tarantino and Scorsese were the only gatekeepers to cinematic fame, I would never have had the opportunity to direct a $400 million plus film," Liu said on Twitter. "I am in awe of their cinematic brilliance." They are transcendent filmmakers. But they don't get to sneer at me or anybody else."
In 2021, Liu appeared in the Marvel film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film was the studio's first with an Asian lead and grossed over $432 million at the box office during the epidemic.
In a subsequent tweet, Liu noted, "No movie studio is or will ever be flawless." But I'm pleased to be a part of one that has worked hard to enhance diversity onscreen by developing heroes that empower and inspire people from all walks of life. I adored the 'Golden Age,' but everything was so white."
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.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) November 22, 2022
I loved the "Golden Age" too.. but it was white as hell.
Tarantino made waves after appearing on the podcast 2 Bears, 1 Cave and criticizing Marvel movies.
"Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is...you have all these renowned actors portraying these characters," Tarantino stated on the podcast, according to Mediaite. "However, they are not movie stars." Right? Captain America is the main character. Alternatively, Thor is the main character. I mean, I'm hardly the first person to say anything like that. That's probably been stated a million times... But, you know, it's these franchise characters that become stars."
Although the Kill Bill director said that he was a Marvel fan growing up, he believes that other sorts of films have no place in this period since "they're the only things that appear to generate any kind of enthusiasm amongst a fan base or even affection for the company releasing them."