SDCC 2019: Simu Liu to star in 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings', cast includes Tony Leung and Awkwafina
Marvel is kick-starting phase 4 with 'The Eternals' and so they began their panel at San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) 2019 by making announcements about the same. They followed it up with cast and crew announcements for Shang-Chi.
Marvel's Kevin Feige announced that the film is titled 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings' and introduced the actor who would play the titular role in the film to be Simu Liu who is best known for his role in the sitcom 'Kim's Convenience'. The Canadian actor also played an extra in Guillermo Del Torro's 'Pacific Rim'.
Joining him will be actor Tony Leung who will play the role of The Mandarin. The film will also star 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Awkwafina, however, her role in the movie is yet to be announced. Wonder Woman 1984 screenwriter Dave Callaham will be penning the script for Shang-Chi which is slated to release February 12, 2021.
Marvel head Feige is producing and Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Jonathan Schwartz will serve as the executive producers of the film. The film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. The character first appeared in the 1973's Special Marvel Edition No. 15. He is born to a Chinese father and an American mother and was created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin.
While his father happens to be villain Fu Manchu and Shang-chi was trained by him in martial arts, he broke away from him and led his own path. The character was extremely popular in the 70s and re-emerged in Marvel Now's 2012 publishing event.
The search for the lead role in the film concluded just last week according to a report in THR, which stated that the global audition saw three finalists. Liu was born in China and grew up in Canada. The Canadian show 'Blood and Water' fetched him a Canadian Screen Award and ACTRA nominations for his role in the crime-drama, which mixed Cantonese, Mandarin and English.