Simu Liu says the path to a ‘Shang-Chi’ sequel ‘feels clearer than it’s ever been’

After years of waiting, Simu Liu says he’s more optimistic than ever that a “Shang-Chi” sequel is finally on the horizon.

The Canadian actor broke out as the star of Marvel’s first Asian-led superhero franchise in 2021’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” playing a martial artist who inherits mystical powers and is forced to confront his family’s complicated legacy. The film earned more than US$430 million worldwide despite a pandemic-era release.

Now, Liu is set to reprise the role in this year’s “Avengers: Doomsday,” his first live-action appearance as the character since his stand-alone debut.

Last week, he told The Canadian Press that conversations about a sequel have become increasingly encouraging after years of uncertainty.

“It definitely feels clearer than it’s ever been,” Liu said when asked whether his return in “Doomsday” paves the way for a second stand-alone film.

“I’ll leave it to them to make any official announcement, but the conversations that we’ve been having feel really positive, and we’re really excited to bring more Shang-Chi into the world.”

Marvel announced a followup just months after “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” hit theatres, with director Destin Daniel Cretton returning to write and direct. But Liu told fans on his Threads account in 2023 that the project kept getting pushed back “due to circumstances beyond my control.”

Though he didn’t give details, Marvel had shaken up its release slate after shelving “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, while Cretton juggled other Marvel commitments, including “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”

With that film now out and Cretton’s Disney Plus series “Wonder Man” getting cancelled last week, fans are speculating that the filmmaker may finally have more room to return to the “Shang-Chi” sequel.

For Liu, the more immediate development is finally stepping back into Shang-Chi’s shoes in “Avengers: Doomsday.”

“It felt like it was pretty long overdue,” he said. “It’s been a while.”

Still, Liu said the enthusiastic response to his appearance in the film’s promotional material has reassured him that audiences haven’t forgotten Marvel’s martial arts hero.

“It’s been amazing seeing and hearing the way that fans have reacted even to me in the trailer. That’s been very encouraging for me to hear,” he said.

“I’m just really excited for people to see this movie, and hopefully there will be many more down the line.”

The Canadian Press has reached out to Marvel producers for comment.

Liu also hinted that audiences will meet a much more seasoned Shang-Chi than the reluctant hero introduced in his first film.

“I think a bit of time has passed,” he said.

“He’s come into his own a little bit. He’s developed and matured a lot. He’s more familiar with his power and his ability.”

The “Avengers: Doomsday” trailer briefly shows what appears to be a showdown between Shang-Chi and X-Men character Gambit, played by Channing Tatum.

Where the first Shang-Chi film ended with the character inheriting the ancient Ten Rings and beginning to understand their immense power, Liu said his character has now fully grown into the role.

“Whereas the last time we saw him he was kind of just learning the ropes for the first time, having just gotten these super powerful rings, I think now he’s very much in a place where he knows how to use them,” Liu said.

“We’re just going to see a more settled-in version of that character.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 4, 2026.