Quentin Tarantino needs no introduction. He has undoubtedly been a filmmaking maestro since the 90s, having not one but two Oscars to his name. His films ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Kill Bill’ and ‘Django Unchained’ are cult classics which hold a special place in the list of top Hollywood films to watch by any movie enthusiast. However, Tarantino is no stranger to controversy and he recently brewed another one.
According to India Today, Quentin Tarantino mentioned in an interview that actors playing superheroes in Marvel films aren’t real actors or “movie stars”.
“Part of the Marvel-ization of Hollywood is that 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. I mean, I’m not the first person to say that. I think that’s been said a zillion times but it’s like, you know, it’s these franchise characters that become a star,” he said.
Strongly disagreeing with his statement is Simu Liu, who played the lead superhero in the film ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’. He, in a couple of tweets, expressed that while he adores Tarantino’s creative genius, he will not entertain his nose on his face.
“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.
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
He further went on to add that Hollywood’s ‘Golden Age’ was “white as hell” and that Marvel Studios make sustained efforts to represent many cultures and ethnicities on screen.
“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,” he wrote.
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
Whose side are you on – Tarantino’s or Simu’s?