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‘Heroes’ Star Says Hollywood Still Won’t Accept Asians in Lead Roles

Mar 29, 2013  •  Post A Comment

Masi Oka, one of the former stars of NBC’s "Heroes," said he believes the entertainment industry still doesn’t accept Asians as lead characters.

Oka told The Hollywood Reporter: “It’s changed in Hollywood, but only so much. You can’t get Asians cast in leads yet. Maybe as a second lead, but the lead is still going to be Caucasian or African-American. But Hollywood is fickle — it follows trends. If a show or a film did well with an Asian lead, then it would take off.”

Oka, who was attending the 5th Okinawa International Movie Festival, is working on a collaboration between Japan’s biggest talent agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo, and the Second City comedy troupe, the story says.

"I grew up bicultural, reading manga in America. I’m a product of that,” Oka said. “I want to act as a bridge between Japan and America.”

masi-oka.jpgMasi Oka

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