At BRIDGE Summit 2025, actors Chris Pang, Ross Butler and Osric Chau emphasised cultural authenticity and diversity as drivers of storytelling in a borderless content economy.
ABU DHABI: Global actors and producers gathered at BRIDGE Summit 2025 to discuss how diversity, local culture and new formats are transforming the content industry. In a dynamic panel titled ‘Global Blockbusters, Local Roots,’ actors Chris Pang, Ross Butler and Osric Chau shared personal insights on how culturally grounded storytelling is becoming more influential across global media.
Australian actor Chris Pang, known for his role in Crazy Rich Asians, reflected on the 2018 film’s success as a game-changer for Asian representation. He said the movie dismantled long-held beliefs in Hollywood that diverse stories could not succeed at the box office. “After that year, the argument didn’t hold, and suddenly more authentic stories started getting developed. But Hollywood hasn’t fully capitalised on that moment,” he said. Pang believes that the future of global content may lie in an ‘outside-in’ approach, where powerful stories from the Middle East, Korea and Southeast Asia gain traction worldwide.
American actor Ross Butler, known for roles in 13 Reasons Why and Shazam!, called for more support for creative education. He stressed that diversity must be matched by storytelling depth. “Without arts education, mass entertainment tends to become flat and repetitive. If we want stories that challenge, we must keep teaching audiences how to appreciate layered narratives,” he said.
Canadian actor Osric Chau highlighted how streaming and tech platforms are constantly reshaping storytelling formats. He described the rise of vertical series and AI-generated content as signs of how fast the creator economy is changing. “What excites me most is the next wave we haven’t named yet. It’s coming, and we must be ready,” he said.
The session formed part of the 300-session programme at BRIDGE Summit 2025, hosted from December 8–10 at ADNEC Abu Dhabi.
