It's official: Shang-Chi is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with Simu Liu reprising his role in the highly anticipated film, Avengers: Doomsday. The announcement came during the Avengers: Doomsday livestream, where Liu's name was spotted on a chair alongside other MCU luminaries. However, due to Marvel Studios' notorious secrecy, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement.
Last month's cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday was particularly notable for its inclusion of veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed to appear, signaling a significant presence of the X-Men in the film. Grammer, known for his role as Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X, briefly appeared in the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a member of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) have yet to make their MCU debuts. This raises the intriguing question: could Avengers: Doomsday be a covert Avengers vs. X-Men movie?
"I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," Liu shared during a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show. "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's comments allude to the well-known leaks from Holland regarding the MCU's Spider-Man series and Ruffalo's tendency to spill plot points about the Avengers. Since these incidents, Marvel has tightened its grip on spoilers, keeping even the most seasoned actors in the dark.
Liu, who also played one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, expressed his awe at some of his co-stars. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he said. "These are two of the greatest actors to have ever walked the face of the Earth. That blew my mind a little bit."
Liu first portrayed Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, and fans have eagerly awaited his character's return. While the May 1, 2026, release date and the impressive cast list for Avengers: Doomsday are known, much of the film remains shrouded in mystery. More details are expected to emerge within the next year, whether through official channels or, despite Marvel's best efforts, through leaks.
Meanwhile, MCU enthusiasts have also been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed 60th birthday party invitation, adding another layer of speculation and excitement to the ever-evolving MCU landscape.
