BRIDGE: Asian stars highlight how their voices are reshaping Hollywood

"Crazy Rich Asians" star Chris Pang and "13 Reasons Why"' actor Ross Butler highlighted how local narratives can become global hits without losing cultural integrity during a discussion at the BRIDGE Summit in Abu Dhabi.

The session titled "Global Blockbusters, Local Roots," also saw actor Osric Chau talk about why Hollywood may no longer be the "epicentre of global cinema" at a time when streaming platforms, social media and global fan communities are dissolving traditional borders.

Talking about how his 2018 movie Crazy Rich Asians proved to be a "turning point" for Asians in Hollywood, Aussie actor Pang, also famous for his role as Lee Takkam in Tomorrow, When the War Began (2010), highlighted that diverse projects were not accepted beforehand for the excuse that they "wouldn’t perform at the box office".

However, Pang argued that while trying to change Hollywood from the inside, the diverse stories might've become profitable but did not cause change. "Now, we’re taking an ‘outside-in’ approach: bringing local stories from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Korea, proving they can succeed globally."  

Citing the global success of Korean movies like Parasite and the K-pop phenomena, American actor Butler called for more authenticity on screen. "As entertainment becomes more global, our screens are only going to get more diverse – and that’s a good thing, it has to be. But with that diversity comes a responsibility: we need to preserve artistic education." 

He argued that without education, mass entertainment will "occupy" audiences rather than "challenge" them. The Singapore-born actor added that "we have to keep teaching and valuing the arts so audiences know how to appreciate more than what the algorithm pushes".

The discussion, moderated by Shaina Zafar, also explored aspects of storytelling that resonate across continents while remaining grounded in lived experience and how newer platforms are further disrupting the space. "Streaming has completely rewritten the rules of storytelling," said Canadian actor Chau, best known for his role as Kevin Tran in the CW series Supernatural and Ryan Choi in the TV shows set in the Arrowverse.

"As new platforms shape the creator economy, formats keep evolving — from home videos to documentaries to the rise of vertical series. He adds the the excitement stems from not know what the next wave will be named, especially as it is "driven by technology and intention.

"With AI accelerating how we create and consume, audiences will experience stories in ways we never imagined – maybe on screens, maybe on stage, maybe somewhere entirely new. The future of narrative content is about capturing interest, holding attention, and embracing whatever form comes next," Chau added.