During the fall of 2002, through concerned individuals, we discovered the following regarding the highly anticipated sequel to Charlie,s Angels:
In the upcoming film, we finally get to meet Alex’s (Lucy Liu’s character’s) parents.
Her father is white and is played by John Cleese.
Her mother is Chinese but does not speak a single word in this movie.
During the fall of 2002, through concerned individuals, we discovered the following regarding the highly anticipated sequel to Charlie’s Angels:
- In the upcoming film, we finally get to meet Alex’s (Lucy Liu’s character) parents.
- Her father is white and is played by John Cleese.
- Her mother is Chinese but does not speak a single word in this movie.
We confronted director, McG, who won a 2000 MANAA award for casting Lucy Liu, to see if these allegations are true – his publicist, Spooky Stevens, confirmed all of this. In addition, MANAA Just recently discovered that a production script had her father as Chinese, thus proving that this role was intended for an Asian Actor. Her mother was suppose to be Jewish and they had a very beautiful comedic banter. The couple was a very unique bi-racial marriage that is rarely seen in film. But now it’s been changed to John Cleese and a voiceless extra playing a bi-racial couple that is derivative of other movies.
MANAA wants to make clear that we are not against movies portraying bi-race or multi-race people, but more of how they conveniently made Lucy’s bi-racial when clearly she is not. Lucy Liu is clearly Asian, predominately Asian at the very least, but she is definitely not half. To now imply that she’s half Asian belittles the pleasure and relief Asian Americans and fair-minded audiences had when they saw an Asian woman standing up for justice and overcoming great obstacles.
But more importantly, MANAA wants to make public two significant issues that the creators of this movie did not feel was important. First is the fact that casting John once again denies Asian American male actors an opportunity to portray decent characters. It’s inviting to have a famous celebrity wanting to play a cameo but “ChAII” could have done a better service to a community of actors that needs all the support they can get. The other issue we voiced is the fact they chose to portray Lucy’s mother as a non-vocal, non-descript Asian. At the very least they could have given the audience a chance to see that Alex’s strength and moral fiber comes from both sides of her family.
We sent a letter to McG requesting a meeting to discuss this further and we’ll keep you posted. See below for a copy of the letter.
To get more support on this matter, MANAA will be in contact with SAG and East West Players. Like “Miss Saigon” any piece that denies a minority a chance at a rightful role should not be disregarded.
If this is a matter that concerns you there is something you can do. First and foremost, DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE – ESECIALLY ON OPENING WEEKEND. Most boycotts to feature films fail because most people want to see the movie and judge the controversy itself. But you can still make your voice heard if you deny the movie from a big opening weekend and eventually deny it from any momentum. Therefore, spread the word and forward this link to anyone and everyone that you feel would be interested and would help support our fight. You can also sign our online petition if discussions with McG become futile, we’ll send this petition to Sony and the producers.