Asian Americans In Showbiz: Wow!

By Jennie L. Ilustre

 

If a synonym for succeed is “go far,” consider this: Asian American showbiz talents have gone really far, indeed. To paraphrase “Star Trek,” some have even gone boldly where no one has gone before – like directing a James Bond movie, or starring in a hit TV show.

Suddenly, Americans of Asian heritage are making it big in mainstream cinema and other outlets – and not just in front of the cameras. A multi-talented lot, they write, direct and even produce summer blockbusters, and on different platforms. Hollywood, TV, and even Netflix, the wave of the future, you name it.

 

Their achievements, however, go beyond their personal success. As Huffpost writer Marina Fang pointed out about “Fresh Off the Boat,” its success has served as a catalyst for more Hollywood opportunities for others, and has raised the bar for Asian American representation in pop culture.

 

To be sure, such huge success in showbiz lifts Asian Americans as a minority group in the country. What’s more, they are making a difference in Mainstream America. A Huffpost story on “Fresh Off the Boat” quoted from the statement issued by ABC president Karey Burke. Burke said they “couldn’t be prouder of the game-changing show and the impact it has had on our cultural landscape.”

 

‘FOB’ Ends on Top

“Fresh Off the Boat” ends in February 2020 after six seasons, Fang wrote in Huffpost, citing a “scoop” by Vulture. It is ending its run while it’s still a top-rated show, freeing its stars to move on to the big screen.

 

It has opened doors in Hollywood for Constance Wu, who went on to star in the box-office hit “Crazy Rich Asians.” She is now in demand for other projects. Randall Park starred in the original Netflix movie, “Always Be My Maybe,” which was also released in select theaters last May.

 

When the show, also known as FOB, premiered in 2015, Daphne Kwok, a top advocacy leader now with AARP, made sure she was home in time to watch the show on ABC TV.

 

Truly, FOB became must-see TV for Asian Americans. It also drew mainstream fans. Critics, too, raved about the show and its talented cast. FOB is based on a book by restaurateur Eddie Huang about the hilarious experiences of his family settling in an American city.

 

AARP Vice President Kwok for Multicultural Markets, Asian Pacific Americans and Pacific Islander Audience, pointed out: “FOB was a catalyst that made it possible for AAPIs to be part of weekly TV sitcoms. The norming of having AAPIs as everyday family members on TV allows us to become truly a part of American society. To all who are involved with bringing FOB to us: Thank You!”

 

Fukunaga Directs Bond Movie

Guess who is the director of the new James Bond movie, set for international release on February 14, 2020? Cary Fukunaga, an American of Asian ancestry. The movie is Daniel Craig’s last stint as Agent 007.

 

Fukunaga is the Bond franchise’s first American director, according to an NBC report. He replaced Danny Boyle, who left over creative differences. NBC noted his career highlights. Fuklunaga won acclaim for the 2015 war film “Beasts of No Nation.” In 2014, he won an Emmy for directing the entire first season of “True Detective,” more like a movie than a TV show. In 2011 he helmed “Jane Eyre,” and most recently, multiple episodes of Netflix’s “Maniac.”

 

In 2009, when Fukunaga directed his first movie “Sin Nombre,” (literally, Without Name), he won the director’s award at Sundance. The report pointed out that Variety’s review heralded the arrival of “a big new talent.”

 

Michelle Yeoh’s Amazing Success

Michelle Yeoh’s convention-defying career in Hollywood was the focus of a recent NBC News article by Kimmy Yam. Traditionally, Yam noted, Asian women have been relegated to damsels in distress or mystic deceitful characters.

 

From an action star in Hong Kong, Yeoh has been evolving into an incredible Hollywood success story, Yam added. She was a Bond girl in “Tomorrow Never Dies.” A martial arts expert, Yeoh has shown her versatility, with roles in the hit movie “Crazy Rich Asians,” and this December, in the comedy “Last Christmas.”

 

Yeoh is, indeed, one of a kind. Stand-alone “Star Trek” co-producer Alex Kurtzman is quoted by Variety, the Hollywood bible, as saying she has shattered ceilings and broken boundaries, among other things. Yeoh will star in a stand-alone “Star Trek” series as Captain Philippa Georgiou in development by CBS All Access, according to Variety. She is also in the second season of “Star Trek: Discovery.”

 

Asian Cuisine ‘Stars’ in Film

Years ago, would anyone ever imagine a mainstream movie with an Asian American cast, writers and director, which also showcased Asian cuisine as a central part of the story? That’s “Always Be My Maybe,” a Netflix original movie.

 

“It’s no surprise that Asian food is the star in so many mainstream movies, given that food helps define our culture, and represents home, identity, and family history,” Josh Hsu, deputy chief of staff to Senator and presidential candidate Kamala Harris, wrote in an email.

 

The film was shown on Neflix and also released in May in select theaters. Netflix reported the movie drew 32 million households in its first four weeks of release last July.

 

The romcom (romantic comedy) stars standup comic Ali Wong as a celebrity chef and Randall Park of “Fresh Off the Boat.” Directed by Nahnatchka Khan, it stars Wong and Park as childhood friends who meet again 15 years later.

 

The film also generated a lot of buzz because it landed Keanu Reeves as a guest star. Keanu’s father is part Chinese (his mother is British). But the real reason Keanu really got involved in the film, even making suggestions like his character wearing eyeglasses sans lens? According to news reports, it’s because he is a fan of standup comic Wong.

 

Rotten Tomatoes gave the film an approval rating of 90% based on 77 reviews. The review aggregation website also ran the Critics Consensus: “Carried by the infectious charms of Ali Wong and Randall Park, Always Be My Maybe takes familiar rom-com beats and cleverly layers in smart social commentary to find its own sweet groove.”

 

Wong and Park wrote the script with fellow Asian American Michael Golamco, Wikipedia notes. To star in a mainstream movie whose script you wrote: Wow!  Asian American talents in showbiz are a source of inspiration and pride. Not just for all Asian Americans, but indeed for anyone, anywhere who dares to dream – and isn’t that wonderful?