Lucy Liu’s Superhero Role: Why a Box Office Flop Felt Like a Win

Lucy Liu’s career has spanned everything from action-packed blockbusters to sharp-witted dramas, but it was her turn in the Charlie’s Angels franchise that really put her on the map. Over the years, she’s played a wide range of roles—think of her in Kill Bill or stirring up trouble in Chicago. Yet, for a long stretch, Liu felt like she was hitting a wall in Hollywood, especially as a Chinese-Australian woman trying to break into an industry that wasn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat.

So, when the chance came up to join the cast of a superhero flick, she was understandably keen. Shazam! Fury of the Gods looked like it could be a real game-changer. But when the numbers came in, the film barely scraped past its budget, leaving it labelled a box office disappointment. For some, that would sting. For Liu, though, the experience was about more than just ticket sales.

Chasing Childhood Dreams

In a chat with Collider, Liu explained what drew her to the project.

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

she said. Taking on the role of Kalypso, a character with the power of chaos, Liu found herself working alongside big names like Helen Mirren, Adam Brody, and Zachary Levi. The first Shazam! film had done well, but this sequel just didn’t catch on with punters in the same way.

Despite the lukewarm reception, Liu saw the role as a milestone.

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. It’s not even just quotables, it’s a real thing and being a part of that is really a dream come true.

For her, it wasn’t about the box office figures—it was about finally getting a seat at the table in a genre that had long felt off-limits.

Breaking the Mould in Superhero Films

Superhero stories have, for ages, been dominated by blokes, with women often pushed to the sidelines or reduced to eye candy. That’s started to shift in recent years, and Liu is glad to be part of that change—even if the film itself didn’t set the world on fire. She’s seen first-hand how much it matters for audiences to see themselves reflected on screen, and she’s proud to have played a part in that progress.

Liu spoke about the importance of finding your place in the crowd, especially for those who’ve felt like outsiders.

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?

Her words ring true for heaps of people who’ve ever felt like they were on the margins, looking for a way in.

Finding Belonging in the Spotlight

Reflecting on her journey, Liu compared the entertainment industry to a bit of a circus, full of people trying to find their footing. She’s quick to point out that luck played a part in her own story, but she’s also found a sense of belonging she never expected.

Where I can really feel like I belong, and we’re all looking for that

she said, summing up what the experience meant to her. For Liu, it’s not about the numbers or the headlines—it’s about finally feeling at home in an industry that once seemed out of reach.