2021 MCU Hit's Sequel Isn't Dead — Lead Star Sets the Record Straight
Shang-Chi isn’t shelved after all. Simu Liu says the sequel remains in play, offering fresh hope for the fan-favorite hero even as timelines and details stay under wraps in a shifting MCU.
Simu Liu popped up with a quick status check on Shang-Chi, and the headline is simple: the guy with the Ten Rings isn’t going anywhere. The details? That’s where it gets a little murkier, but there’s enough here to get fans buzzing again.
Shang-Chi 2: still happening, still date-less
"I sound like a broken record at this point, but it is happening."
Speaking at New York Comic Con, Liu said a sequel to 2021’s 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' is in development. He didn’t share when it shoots or when it hits theaters, just that it’s alive. For context, the first movie pulled in over $432 million worldwide, so a follow-up was always more a question of when, not if.
Where we’ll see Shang-Chi next
Liu also said Shang-Chi shows up in two upcoming Avengers movies: 'Avengers: Doomsday' and 'Avengers: Secret Wars'. He called Doomsday the more immediate tease. As of now, Doomsday is slated for December 18, 2026, with Secret Wars following on December 17, 2027.
He even made it sound like he’s already been on the Doomsday set, saying he walked away with a bunch of new friendships. He singled out Channing Tatum as someone he really admired working with, and he was especially excited to share scenes with Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart — the kinds of icons he grew up watching.
Who’s in Doomsday (as reported)
Per the current reporting, 'Avengers: Doomsday' is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and features a packed lineup. Here’s the roster being floated right now:
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Pedro Pascal
- Chris Hemsworth
- Anthony Mackie
- Patrick Stewart
- Ian McKellen
- Vanessa Kirby
- Ebon Moss-Bachrach
- Sebastian Stan
- Florence Pugh
- David Harbour
- Julia Louis-Dreyfus
- Tom Hiddleston
- Letitia Wright
- Alan Cumming
- Rebecca Romijn
- Kelsey Grammer
One curious note: Liu specifically praised Channing Tatum from his Doomsday experience, but Tatum isn’t on that reported cast list. Make of that what you will.
The bottom line
Shang-Chi 2 exists, but it’s not dated yet. In the meantime, Liu says you’ll see Shang-Chi in Doomsday and Secret Wars, with those two currently planted on the 2026 and 2027 calendars. As always with Marvel’s big swing movies, expect some moving pieces — but the Ten Rings are back in play.