Gemma Chan on Asian representation and Dwayne Johnson’s success

Eternals star Gemma Chan has weighed in on Asian representation in the movie industry.

The British-Asian actress is set to appear in the Marvel movie directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloe Zhao. On Eternals, Chan plays Sersi, a heroine who will significantly differ from others.

In a recent interview with Vogue, the actress has discussed the lack of adequate Asian representation in film and explained how she would love to keep the door open for other Asian talent.

“That’s something I feel in my bones. I want a rising tide to lift all boats,” Chan said.

Despite things slowly improving – and Chan working with Zhao on Eternals is a beacon of positivity – the Crazy Rich Asians star said it’s still “fairly recent” for Asian women to take centre stage: “It’s only a fairly recent thing that Asian females have been able to be the protagonists of stories.”

She also commented on Dwayne Johnson’s success after it was revealed that the former wrestler starred in 14 of the 44 top-grossing movies featuring an Asian or Pacific Islander lead between 2007 and 2019.

“I mean, great for him. I love him,” Chan said of the Jungle Cruise actor.

“Individual successes are one thing. But structurally, when you look at who can actually get projects green-lit in the UK, who are in those positions of power, those gatekeeping positions – there aren’t that many Asians. There aren’t many people of colour in those positions.”

Earlier this year, Chan opened up on the joy of working with Zhao on Eternals.

“So that was a surprise. And then to be working with an East Asian female director – I would never have dreamt of that, even just a few years ago,” Chain said of the filmmaker.

“I think this is going to be a really different, special film.”