Asian-American wave has been building in Hollywood and is cresting now: John Cho

Asian-American representation is a hot button topic in Hollywood with the success of the film "Crazy Rich Asians" but actor John Cho says the contribution of older actors in bringing diversity to mainstream cinema should not be forgotten.

Cho, best known internationally for his roles in stoner comedy "Harold and Kumar" and the "Star Trek" franchise, will next be seen in "Searching", about a father on a quest to find his missing teenage daughter through websites, social media, smartphones and computer screens.

"Searching" and "Crazy Rich Asians" are being hailed as something of a cultural movement in the entertainment industry in the vein of "Black Panther" and "Wonder Woman", films that did great business with a diverse cast, a rare phenomenon in Hollywood that is often accused of "whitewashing".

Asked how he sees the success of such films, Cho said, "It certainly seems like something is in the air and it is very exciting. I am hopeful."
Asked about his own contribution as an actor in this, Cho said, "I have been trying to keep my head above the water... to continue the metaphor. I have been trying to stick around and try to do work that I can live with and be proud of. That's the name of the game."
"In fact, movies starring different people, people of colour, did very well at the box office and the data is catching up. Industry will change to accommodate that data."
"Over time, people found us memorable because we looked different. They rooted for us because they were like 'Oh, we don't see too many movies with guys who look like that'. The studios are realising that a diverse cast is actually great publicity. Putting a diverse cast together attracts positive attention. People tend to appreciate and applaud it so why not?"
"I loved the idea of doing a thriller, playing a father and bringing some of my own experiences to the role. But I had no interest in working on a screen because it did not seem like a fun acting job. So, I did say no at first."
"The feedback that I have received is that within minutes people forget that they are watching a story unfolding through screens, they are so caught up in it. In life, more and more human interacting is happening via those screens. It is an attempt to dramatise something that is real."