Marvel’s newest superhero and a new Variety500 honoree, SimuLiu launched himself onto a worldwide global stage in 2021, speaking truth to power.
The Chinese-Canadian actor became Marvel’s first titular Asian superhero with September’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which at the time became the highest-grossing domestic release of 2021 with more than $220 million as well as $420 million globally by the end of October, despite skipping China.
Liu has taken advantage of his higher profile to speak out against the sudden cancellation of his CBC sitcom “Kim’s Convenience” and the broader scourge of anti-Asian violence seen throughout the U.S. amid the pandemic. He also appeared in October film “Women Is Losers” on HBO Max and is starring in romantic drama “One True Loves” as well as animal adventure film “Arthur the King,” alongside Mark Wahlberg.