It's official: Shang-Chi, portrayed by Simu Liu, is set to make a triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the eagerly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday. The confirmation came during the massive Avengers: Doomsday livestream, where Liu's name appeared alongside other MCU legends. However, due to Marvel Studios' strict policy on spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, reflecting the studio's commitment to maintaining suspense and excitement around their projects.
Last month's cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday was particularly notable for its inclusion of veteran X-Men actors. The lineup now boasts Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, signaling a significant presence of the X-Men in the film. Grammer, who played Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X, had a brief appearance in the MCU via Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Meanwhile, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) are set to make their MCU debuts, sparking speculation about whether Avengers: Doomsday might secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie.
During a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Liu shared his excitement about being part of the film, though he admitted to being kept in the dark about other cast announcements. He humorously referenced the infamous leaks by Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo, which have led Marvel to tighten its information security. "I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity,” Liu 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."
Liu was particularly astonished to see the names of Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart on the cast list. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced,” he remarked. “These are two of the greatest actors to have ever walked the face of the Earth. That blew my mind a little bit."
Simu Liu first captivated audiences as Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021. Although the character has not yet returned to the screen, the anticipation for Avengers: Doomsday, set for release on May 1, 2026, continues to build. As the film's plot remains largely undisclosed, fans eagerly await more details in the coming year.
Meanwhile, MCU fans have been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed birthday invitation, adding another layer of intrigue to the ever-expanding Marvel universe.
