It's official: Shang-Chi is set to make a triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The massive Avengers: Doomsday livestream unveiled that Simu Liu, who first captivated audiences as Shang-Chi in "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" in 2021, will be reprising his role in the upcoming ensemble film. Despite the excitement, Liu remained tight-lipped during the announcement, a testament to Marvel Studios' notorious secrecy regarding potential spoilers. Fans caught a glimpse of his involvement when his name appeared on the back of a chair, alongside other MCU luminaries.
Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was a significant nod to veteran X-Men actors, confirming their major roles in the film. Kelsey Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise and made his MCU debut via the post-credits scene in "The Marvels," will be joined by Patrick Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films and had a cameo in "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness." Other notable X-Men alumni set to appear include Ian McKellen as Magneto, Alan Cumming as Nightcrawler, Rebecca Romijn as Mystique, and James Marsden as Cyclops, sparking speculation that Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.
In a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Liu shared his excitement about being part of the film, albeit with limited information. "I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," he said, "but I didn't know who else they were announcing. They don't tell us anything. Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo ruined it for all of us. Now, they don't tell us." This comment references the infamous leaks from Holland about the MCU's Spider-Man series and Ruffalo's tendency to reveal plot points, leading Marvel bosses to tighten their grip on spoilers.
Liu, who also starred as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's "Barbie," expressed his awe at seeing the names of Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart announced for the film. "These are two of the greatest actors to have ever walked the face of the Earth. That blew my mind a little bit," he remarked during the interview.
AnswerSee ResultsWhile Liu's Shang-Chi has yet to return to the screen since his debut, the anticipation for "Avengers: Doomsday," set for release on May 1, 2026, continues to build. With a cast list that reads like a who's who of superhero cinema, the film remains shrouded in mystery, but more details are expected to emerge in the coming year.
Meanwhile, MCU fans have also been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday party, adding another layer of intrigue to the ever-expanding Marvel universe.
