Simu Liu gives blunt Shang-Chi 2 update: still keen, still waiting
In a San Diego Comic-Con interview, Simu Liu addressed the state of a Shang-Chi sequel — and his answer wasn’t the polite fence-sit you might expect.
Let's be honest, Marvel sometimes moves with the speed of a snail on a bank holiday, and Shang-Chi 2 is shaping up to be a prime example. Simu Liu, ever the good sport, had a bit of a chinwag about the beleaguered sequel at this year's San Diego Comic-Con. You might have noticed he's everywhere right now, especially in all that Avengers: Doomsday promo, and that's naturally kicked fan chatter into high gear about when we'll actually see him back with the Ten Rings in his own film. As it turns out, Liu's update isn't exactly what hopeful fans wanted to hear.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings came out in 2021 — and there's still no release date in sight for the sequel.
The Long Wait for Shang-Chi 2
In an interview following Marvel's big SDCC panel, Liu was hit with the question on everyone's minds: where's that Shang-Chi 2 news? He had a laugh — "Man, if I had a nickel..." — but the gist is, there's nothing concrete to report, even with the speculation swirling for five whole years.
Liu, who everyone now knows from Barbie and Kim's Convenience, was nothing but gracious about how supportive the fandom’s been for his character since that 2021 debut. Here’s his response when pressed on the situation:
“Look, I'm going to take the high road here and say that it's really incredible how much the fans continue to show up for this character and continue to express their enthusiasm. I hope they continue to do so, because I think it is making a difference.”
He pointed out it’s been five years of people telling him how much that first film meant to them — which, honestly, is rather sweet. He did make it clear he’d do whatever it takes to get Shang-Chi back on the big screen, saying he'd "crawl through broken glass" if that’s what it took. But here’s the kicker: the whole thing’s not really in his hands, which is exactly the stage of Marvel limbo fans have become accustomed to.
Shang-Chi in the Meantime
While we wait for the sequel to get itself in gear, Avengers: Doomsday is only Liu's second live-action outing as Shang-Chi. He’s popped up as the voice of a few cartoon versions in the likes of What If…? and Marvel Zombies, but Doomsday is the first time in a while we’ll see him, you know, physically kicking bad guys in the head. As for when a full Shang-Chi sequel will materialise? It’s been "in development" since 2021, but that’s just vague enough in Marvel speak to mean anything between tomorrow and sometime after the next big European football tournament.