Trying to dreamcast the upcoming live-action 'Mulan' movie highlights the lack of Asian actors in Hollywood

By Fusion Staff  |  March 31, 2015 | 7:13pm
Latest

When we found out yesterday that a Mulan live-action film was in the works, we were stoked. Memories of singing “Be a Man,” and Mushu the dragon, and Li Shang’s fine ass danced like sugarplums in our head. We aimed to dream up the perfect cast, searching for actors who could fit the bill for these roles, and did some internet sleuthing.

Turns out there just aren’t that many Chinese actors in the American zeitgeist.

Sure, we were able to come up with some American actors with Asian heritage (Katie Chang, Janel Parrish, Vanessa Hudgens, and Kimiko Glen, pictured above). But why is it so tough to think of young Chinese-American actors needed for these roles? It would be great to cast a young woman of Chinese descent in a role that specifically calls for a Chinese woman in China. This role will be arguably the most visible Chinese female role in many years of American cinema.

So far, our shortlist for the lead role of “Mulan” is American-born Chinese actress Constance Wu from Fresh Off The Boat.

::sigh:: Hollywood, do better.

(Fusion is partly owned by Disney’s ABC network.)

Images via Getty.

Akilah Hughes is a comedian, YouTuber, and staff writer and producer for Fusion’s culture section. You can almost always find her waxing poetic about memes and using too many emojis.

 
Join the discussion...