Why Lucy Liu Calls Her Box Office Bomb a Dream Role
For Lucy Liu, starring in a major superhero movie was a lifelong ambition. But when the film flopped at the box office, her reaction wasn't what you'd expect. Discover why the actress considers the commercial failure a personal triumph and a significant moment in her career.
Lucy Liu became a household name in the late 1990s, and her role in the Charlie’s Angels films cemented her star status. She’s proven her versatility time and again, from playing an unforgettable, sword-wielding crime boss in Kill Bill to a cunning character in Chicago. Despite her success, she has been open about the obstacles she faced as a Chinese-American woman in the industry. This background makes her decision to join the cast of a major superhero movie like Shazam! Fury of the Gods all the more significant, even though the film ultimately failed to connect with audiences and underperformed at the box office.
A Childhood Passion Realized
For many actors, a film's success is measured by its ticket sales, but that isn't always the whole story. Sometimes, the personal significance of a project outweighs its commercial reception. This was exactly the case for Liu, whose role in the superhero sequel was the fulfillment of a long-held ambition.
Speaking with Collider, she shared her excitement, explaining, “I think being part of a superhero movie is a super dream, because I am a super fan of comics and of that time, which is my childhood”. In the film, Liu played Kalypso, a powerful goddess of chaos, acting alongside industry veterans like Helen Mirren and Zachary Levi. While the first Shazam! movie was a certified hit, the second installment struggled to find its footing, barely earning back its production budget.
A Milestone for Representation
Despite the disappointing financial returns, Liu viewed the experience as a major turning point in her career. It represented a kind of opportunity that simply didn't exist for her when she was starting out. “So it really is a dream to be a part of something that, at that time, was unattainable and to grow into that space, and to have them grow into that space, for diversity, for women, and empowerment,” she continued. “It’s not even just quotables, it’s a real thing and being a part of that is really a dream come true.”
The superhero genre has long been dominated by male leads, with female characters often sidelined or objectified. In recent years, however, the industry has started to shift toward more inclusive storytelling. Liu expressed her pride in being part of this positive change, emphasizing that her involvement was meaningful regardless of the movie's box office numbers.
The Search for Community
The actress also touched on the deeper theme of representation and the universal human need to feel a sense of belonging. She connected this feeling to the community spirit found at events like Comic-Con, where fans gather to celebrate shared passions. Reflecting on her own past, she said, “We all want to belong, and that’s why we’re all here at Comic-Con. I mean, as a child, for me, coming from an immigrant family, I did not feel like I belonged. Right?”
She described the entertainment business as a place where many people are trying to find their way, comparing it to falling “into this circus of people that are trying to find a way”. Looking back on her journey, Liu feels a sense of gratitude for achieving not just professional success but also a place “where I can really feel like I belong, and we’re all looking for that”.