'If the only gatekeepers... came from Tarantino': Simu Liu defends Marvel's diversity drive!"
After Quentin Tarantino criticized Marvel's impact on cinema, Shang-Chi's Simu Liu hits back, championing Marvel's commitment to diversity and its box office triumph.
Updated : October 20, 2023 05:26 PM ISTAfter Quentin Tarantino criticized Marvel's impact on cinema, Shang-Chi's Simu Liu hits back, championing Marvel's commitment to diversity and its box office triumph.
Source: NPR
Simu Liu: From Marvel's Box Office Triumph to Diversity Champion
It seems Quentin Tarantino has touched a nerve, and Simu Liu, the star of Marvel's 'Shang-Chi', isn't one to hold back. Following Tarantino's controversial remarks about Marvel's role in the cinematic universe, Liu took to Twitter, and boy, did he have some spicy responses to serve!
Marvel vs Tarantino: The Twitter Showdown
Liu, who led the groundbreaking Marvel film 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings', responded assertively to Tarantino's claims. The film, which garnered a whopping $432 million at the box office amid a pandemic, showcased Marvel's efforts to diversify its leads.
In a pointed rebuttal, Liu stated, “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.”
The 'Shang-Chi' star then beautifully interwove reverence with critique, acknowledging the genius of these filmmakers but also highlighting their lack of inclusivity, adding, "They are transcendent auteurs. But they don’t get to point their nose at me or anyone.”
Beyond the 'Golden Age': The Diversity Dialogue
As reported by Deadline, Liu's tweets didn't just stop at Tarantino's comments. He went on to emphasize Marvel's contribution to enhancing diversity in the film world. "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.”
Tarantino's jibe, originating from an appearance on the podcast '2 Bears, 1 Cave', criticized the current state of Hollywood. He suggested that the characters of the Marvel movies have overshadowed the actors portraying them.
Yet, if there's any takeaway from this heated exchange, it's that the face of cinema is changing, and artists like Simu Liu are at the forefront, challenging the status quo and redefining stardom.
(Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.)