The work is about Jewish refugees in Shanghai during World War II. Wu is also an actress who has starred in Hollywood movies like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. [Photo provided to China Daily]

"The casting directors usually have someone to tell them about what kind of actresses the Chinese gravitate toward. They now not only make sure it appeals to the North American viewers but also care about the Chinese market," Wu says. "But what they regard as the most important is if the actor or actress is fit for the role, and talent."

Compared to many outsiders struggling in Hollywood, Wu says she has been lucky.

In the past two years, she has obtained cameo roles in the big-budget blockbusters Captain America: Civil War and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows.

"Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles was my first big Hollywood movie. I was so excited and invited my mother to the US to attend the premiere," she says.

After seeing the movie, however, they were disappointed. Wu had a role with 11 lines but most of her scenes were edited out in the final version.

"I then comforted myself. That is Hollywood," says Wu.

She says she will be working in the fourth movie of the Hollywood franchise xXx, starring American actor Vin Diesel.

In addition, Wu is using her connections in Hollywood to produce and host the talk show Behind the Spotlight, which is being shown on Chinese streaming site iQiyi and the satellite TV channels CCTV 6 and Shanghai TV Station since April. The show will also run in the US in the future, she adds.

The program unravels behind-the-scenes stories of some Hollywood hits through interviews with top producers and studio executives.