Simu Liu Has A Bold Prediction About Shang-Chi
2021 will more than make up for the Marvel Cinematic Universe drought we collectively experienced in 2020 when zero Marvel properties came to our screens. The COVID-19 pandemic pushed everything back, resulting in a glut of content for this year. Things kicked off with a bang thanks to "WandaVision," and in the months that followed, we were treated to the likes of "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," "Loki," and "Black Widow." The year is already more than halfway over, so it's hard to believe there are still three feature-length superhero movies the studio has planned in the following weeks, kicking off with "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" on September 3, 2021.
The titular Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) will be the newest hero to protect the planet and keep all kinds of threats at bay, no matter what galaxy or time period they come from. Based on what critics have to say, the character receives the introduction he so richly deserves on the big screen. While it sounds like another Marvel hit, star Simu Liu makes an even bolder prediction beyond whether it will be the best Marvel movie yet.
Simu Liu says Shang-Chi will 'change the world'
There's certainly a lot riding on "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" because it's a theatrical exclusive rather than airing in theaters and on Disney+ simultaneously. Disney CEO Bob Chapek referred to the film as an "interesting experiment (via CBR), which didn't sit well with Simu Liu and many other people who didn't want the future of Asian representation on the big screen to ride on the film's success while a pandemic still rages. Simu Liu responded to the phrasing on Twitter, writing, "We are not an experiment. We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year."
The spat continued the evening of the "Shang-Chi" premiere. Variety was on the red carpet and asked Liu about his comments toward Chapek earlier in the week. He responded, "I just wanted people to know how fired up I was for this movie. I mean, it's been a tough, tough time for everybody. And I think sometimes it's so important to get messaging through that ... it's emotional, it's raw, and it shows the world just how I, and we all, believe in this movie and how incredible it's going to be. It's truly going to change the world."
"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" is the first Asian-led film set within the MCU, so there's certainly a ton of hype surrounding it. Liu is clearly passionate about it, as he should be. Regardless of what's going on behind the scenes at Disney, fans are undoubtedly excited to see this movie when it finally drops on September 3.