“‘I feel so disheartened sometimes when these questions are still being asked 30 years later.”
Even Wens current role onMarvels Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.stands out.
(Marvel declined to comment.)
Credit: Chris Haston/NBCU Photo Bank; Disney; Everett Collection; Matthias Clamer/ABC
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: There are two live-action Mulan projects coming up.
MING-NA WEN:Theres nothing bad about it.
Im very excited about it.
Is this what change looks like, or is this a fluke instead of Asian representation hitting a crossroads?
I dont think its a fluke.
Before we talk about the impact that fans have, especially online, lets talk about your career.
What was it like as an Asian actor starting out?
I knowIbenefited from it.
Does it feel similar today, as far as the roles available to Asian actors?
Thats very telling to me.
From your perspective, how can Hollywood make bank and make fans happy?
Or is this an argument that no longer makes sense?
Its really a matter of them allowing us that opportunity and taking that risk and hedging their bets.
What do you think about the idea that there arent enough Asian actors?
At the Emmys,Master of Noneco-creator Alan Yang encouraged parents to give their children cameras instead of violins.
Is culture holding Asian actors back?
I think thats an old perception about Asian parents.
Its not a proven commodity, but ultimately, and hopefully that will change with time.
The more involved Asians are in wanting to prove Hollywood wrong with their own films, the better.
We need to bring our stories to life.
It doesnt matter if theres an African-American actor on screen or an Asian or a Latino actor.
Thats whats going to bring the audience in.
What do these films need to confirm to do to make it keep things moving in the right direction?
I mean, its just basic filmmaking.
At this point, they have a built-in audience.
And for myself, I certainly hope to make a cameo at least.
[Laughs] It shocks me that so many [fans] still want me to play Mulan!
Like, only if itsMulan: The Later Years.
[Laughs]
Speaking of fans, how much impact do you think they have on casting?
You not only have fans from Marvel, but also legions of them from your work as Mulan.
How much impact do you think they have on the characters they see?
I think its really, really smart for the creators to pay attention, at least…
The whole reason why were in this business is to c’mon our fans.
Its profoundly moving for me.
And every so often, Hollywood stumbles and goes back to their old habits.
Thats all the power a fan can really have in the end.
If fans dont show up, theres no business.
Yeah, its showbusiness.
They throw in a lot of money and they want return for it.
The big corporations need to pay attention to social media and what [fans] say.
If these films dont work out, what do you think will happen?
Does the flavor of the month pattern reset?
Not if we continue to create new and exciting stories.
Not if we continue to have something for the producers and the development departments and production companies.
It always starts with the written word.
We need to do that with any good character or any good story.
So in other words, it all goes back to the writing?
Well, some of the acting, too!
if youre frustrated, do something about it… Read the first, on how the industrys approach to Asian actors is at a crossroads,here.
