Marvel Star Praises The Superhero Genre & Teases MCU’s Shang-Chi 2

Simu Liu, star of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, has voiced his own opinion on the superhero genre, and has provided a long-awaited hint that Shang-Chi 2’s development for the MCU may be progressing. Simu Liu debuted as Shang-Chi in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, bringing the martial arts expert and owner of the mystical Ten Rings into the MCU. The film’s post-credits scenes teased further Shang-Chi projects in the MCU, but although news on the character’s future has been scarce, Destin Daniel Cretton is confirmed to be directing Shang-Chi 2.

Although news on Shang-Chi 2 has been scarce, Simu Liu has been anything but quiet about the sequel. This was reiterated on Threads, as Simu Liu noted that Marvel Studios “need[s] to give the people a sequel!” Liu didn’t only use this opportunity to tease Shang-Chi 2, however, as he also responded to recent criticisms aimed at the superhero genre, after some have expressed “superhero fatigue” and a loss of faith in superhero franchises. This isn’t a belief shared by Simu Liu, as he praised the superhero genre’s ability to allow people of color to be the stories’ main characters.

I have and always will be an unabashed fan of superhero movies as a genre. There’s a variance for sure, and I hear everyone’s gripes about the overuse of CGI… but consider, in addition to all the spectacular elements, they are one of the few spaces where a person of color can be the main character. Science fiction and fantasy movies ask us to imagine a world where anything is possible. So, for what it’s worth, I hope the genre sustains and survives. Also, ya, we need to give the people a sequel!

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What We Know About The MCU’s Shang-Chi 2

In December 2021, Deadline reported that Destin Daniel Cretton would be returning to write and direct the highly-anticipated sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as well as working on Marvel Studios’ Wonder Man series. In July 2022, Cretton was also revealed to be the director of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, though he departed the project in November 2023 to focus on Shang-Chi 2 amid Jonathan Majors’ legal proceedings and Kang the Conqueror confusion. Despite Shang-Chi 2 being confirmed, however, not much is known about the sequel, though Simu Liu is expected to reprise his titular role.

During another exchange on Threads in July 2023, Simu Liu stated that Shang-Chi 2 would likely release after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and potentially following Avengers: Secret Wars, but that the project keeps being pushed back. Marvel Studios has experienced several delays recently, with 2023’s WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes pushing back Phase 5’s schedule, and upheaval on the Disney+ side of production leading to uncertainty for a number of upcoming projects. Nevertheless, the sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has been confirmed, and it seems Simu Liu is as dedicated as ever to his superhero role.