Simu Liu Slams 'Gatekeeper' Quentin Tarantino For Saying Marvel Actors Are 'Not Movie Stars'

On the most recent episode of 2 Bears, 1 Cave podcast, guest host Quentin Tarantino made comments regarding Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) actors that were not well-received by many, especially not by Shang-Chi star Simu Liu.

On Monday's podcast, Tarantino said Marvel actors are "not movie stars"—it's just the superheroes they portray who are famous.

Tarantino stated:

"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, you know...it's these franchise characters that become a star."

He also claimed he doesn't blame fans for flocking to see the films because not much else being made right now that excites them.

"...they're the only things that seem to generate any kind of excitement amongst a fan base or even like for the studio making them"

"That's what they're excited about."

"And, you know, so it's just the fact that they are the entire representation of this era of movies right now."

On Tuesday, MCU star Liu responded to Tarantino's comments on Twitter.

"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."

In 2019, director Martin Scorsese said that Marvel movies are "not cinema," telling Empire:

"Honestly, the closest I can think of them, as well made as they are, with actors doing the best they can under the circumstances, is theme parks."

Five minutes after his first tweet, Liu followed up:

"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."

Many on Twitter agreed with Liu, especially with his "Golden Age" comment.

Some, however, agreed with Tarantino's claim Marvel actors are only associated with their characters.

Because as experts like Tarantino know, Academy Award nominees like Jeremy Renner, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johannson and the late Chadwick Bozeman are only known as Hawkeye, Black Widow, Iron Man and Black Panther.

Men on Twitter offered up their highly qualified opinions as well.

Liu previously said playing the lead in Shang-Chi was even more than "a dream come true:"

"I used to love watching Marvel movies when I was a kid, even before, pre-MCU."

"If there was a superhero, I wanted to watch it."

"That's all I've ever wanted."

Though we don't have a release date yet, it was confirmed in December Liu will reprise his role in a second Shang-Chi film.