One MCU Star Eyes a Sequel Spree After Avengers: Doomsday

Simu Liu is not done throwing fists in the MCU. He is back as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday, and he sounds very ready to keep going long after that. And yes, the Russos are steering this one.

Where Shang-Chi fits next

Marvel has Avengers: Doomsday in post right now, with Joe and Anthony Russo directing. It hits theaters December 18, 2026. Liu returns as Shang-Chi in that one, marking his second MCU movie after 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The follow-up, Avengers: Secret Wars, is scheduled for December 17, 2027.

Liu on staying in the fight

Speaking with ComicBook, Liu said he wants to keep playing Shang-Chi for, in his words, "as long as [he] physically" can. No cute teases about a Shang-Chi 2 yet, and he did not wade into plot ideas or where he wants to take the character. But he did talk about what it felt like to jump into a massive crossover with MCU veterans who have been doing this for decades.

"I was just in like quite a large Marvel movie with a lot of these actors, some of whom have been playing the same role for like over 20 years. And I’m stepping into their world. I’m stepping into their characters, who they’ve owned and honed and developed for so long. And it’s everything I can do just to like stop myself from shaking. But the thought that kind of powers me is this: you’ve still got to show up and you’ve got to try your best. Try your best to get something usable in there and get out of your own way. I feel like a lot of times we use impostor syndrome or insecurity as an excuse not to show up.

If we can just not make it about ourselves for a second and just focus on the work that you have to do. What is the objective? What is my objective as this character? Then you just take it a step at a time, and then hopefully when you do it for 40 years, someone will be looking at you and being like 'Holy crap, what I would give to do work like that.'"

The quick rundown

• Avengers: Doomsday is in post-production, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo.
• Simu Liu returns as Shang-Chi; this is his second MCU movie after 2021's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
• Liu told ComicBook he wants to keep playing Shang-Chi "as long as [he] physically" can.
• He did not share details about a Shang-Chi sequel, though talks about one have been floating around for a while.
• Release dates: Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026; Avengers: Secret Wars on December 17, 2027.

So, no new story beats for Shang-Chi yet, but the intent is clear: Liu wants a long run. If Doomsday lands and Marvel actually gives him those sequels, he sounds more than ready to carry the rings for years.