Let’s jump ahead several decades. The long-awaited on-screen team-up of Jet Li and Jackie Chan was set to occur in the film “The Forbidden Kingdom”. These two Asian stars are arguably some of the most popular entertainers in the world. However, some bonehead decided to relegate these superstars to supporting roles, boosting up an unknown white kid as the lead, and creating a far stupider movie in the process. Meanwhile, the in-production “The Last Airbender” movie based on the animated series has replaced the Asian-looking protagonists with white actors, but left the villain (south) Asian. And speaking of Cho’s relationship with Union, I am reminded of an early American Jet Li production, “Romeo Must Die” wherein Jet Li is cast as “Romeo” essentially, but is stripped of all sexuality, when his relationship with the “Juliette” character (as played by Aaliyah) is transformed into a strictly platonic one. Jackie Chan has enjoyed the same distinction in his American movies.

The Abysmal Dragonball: Evolution left many of the supporting characters as Asian (particularly women and wise old men — roles that Hollywood feels very comfortable giving to Asians) but made sure the lead was a white guy.

There is definitely a pattern. It is often a challenge to even get films made if they feature Asian leads.

Don’t get me wrong, John Cho and Demitri are both awesome, but, as Patrick Jane said, there’s no business like Cho business.

Maybe I’m just an old fart but I remember Jack Soo who played Detective Seageant Yemana on “Barney Miller.” In the mid-70′s he was an actual Asian American male character and perhaps the first regular Asian American character on U.S. prime time television.

But I never use television shows/films as documentaries and guides to life. I can always hope for some more accuracy, but you can’t let it bother you. I could never enjoy Veronica Mars if I couldn’t get past the fact that there were no Filipino characters even though San Diego is the largest population of Filipinos outside of the Philippines. It’s a pet peeve, but I love that show to my grave.

Cho’s character is clearly very different that what we’ve seen, probably since Dustin Nguyen in 21 jump street if you think about it. But what’s been done since him? Nada.

I can’t get too discouraged over what you call “hurtful” roles. Look at what Viola Davis played the most pivotal role of the movie Doubt, and if you ask her, I don’t think she’d ever think twice about doing that role. That was a role of a lifetime whether you do it on stage or on film. As an actor you want to play a part that people will remember and that people will see.

Perhaps you should venture outside some of your viewing habits and you’ll find a ton of diverse roles out there for nearly every ethnic background except Asian males. It’s honestly because they’re rarely used, in America. As actors, models, in advertising, etc. When you’re an actor, a juicy role is a juicy role. Middle Eastern actors have to deal with playing terrorists now. But if those are the only roles, you do your best, or you make your own films.

CS Lee on Dexter, and Michael Paul Chan on The Closer are others who have stepped it up, although Lee is still a dorky pervert (but an underachiever which I like), but neither is a LEAD role.

I’m not angry about it, I’m frustrated, but am enjoying it while I can. But what will be great is if Cho’s character does die and it’s a successful series, people will miss his character and do wonders for him. Look at what happened to Seth Green after he left Buffy.

I hear what you’re saying. Perhaps it is just a coincidence that he was cast in a “doomed” role. But this seems to be a reoccurring pattern. It’s unfortunate that the non-stereotypical roles are so far and few in-between or in this case, possibly short lived.

@Ernie

I’ll have to take your word on some of these shows you mentioned, as I have not seen all of them. But I will say this about the Wire: it may depict an accurate Baltimore, “inner city”, Black experience. While the acting is superb (everyday folks included) the problem again is this is one of the main depictions of the Black experience in America. But, it is not a realistic, diverse, all encompassing depiction. I wouldn’t have a problem with the show if there were other shows depicting Black folks as a variety of peoples, with various experiences, socio-economic statuses and characteristics. The Cosby show was a great example of showing another side of the Black experience. But this show’s positive image of middle class Black folks hasn’t continued to be pervasive throughout the years. No, it’s shows like the Wire that continue to be at the forefront representing the Black experience and Black people. And the show was not even created by a Black person.

“I tend to think you see what you want to see sometimes.

None of these roles I’ve mentioned have ever taken away from their sex appeal. My angle was that we not only see Cho in a lead role but he doesn’t fall in the stereotypical role for an Asian male and if seen in a lead role long enough he can be seen as not only a lead actor but a sexy lead actor who can be offered a variety of roles.”

That was my point exactly. I couldn’t agree with you more. But I would caution you because, what you are calling sexy for these roles played actors/actresses of color coincide with stereotypes to the point where people do see what they want to see and they don’t see that these stereotypes are hurtful to people of color.

I would disagree a bit. There are many great straight black actors who had lead roles and very important parts that moved each respected show along.

Harrold Perrineau in Lost…

Erik King in Dexter

Shemar Moore in Criminal Minds

Andre Braugher in well, everything he’s in.

DB Woodside, Dennis Haysbert as the Palmers in 24

Woodside and J. August Richards in Angel…

The Wire is filled with local actors/extras who live in Baltimore and I would debate anyone who would say that show is an inaccurate portrayal of Baltimore.

I tend to think you see what you want to see sometimes.

None of these roles I’ve mentioned have ever taken away from their sex appeal. My angle was that we not only see Cho in a lead role but he doesn’t fall in the stereotypical role for an Asian male and if seen in a lead role long enough he can be seen as not only a lead actor but a sexy lead actor who can be offered a variety of roles.

@Jo I haven’t read the book the series is based on, but I know there is a character who doesn’t see anything when he flashes forward. Whether he’s Asian in the book I couldn’t say, but it might not be a case of creating an Asian char only to kill him but rather casting an Asian in a part that’s doomed to die. If that makes any sense?

LOL, then I probably shouldn’t ruin the Harold & Kumar movies by telling you what I was thinking about Harold…

Seriously, John Cho is long overdue as a romantic lead, the dude is FINE!