MCU star Simu Liu claims that Destin Daniel Cretton’s involvement withSpider-Man 4will not get in the way of theShang-Chisequel. Cretton, first known for his work on indie films such asShort Term 12andI Am Not A Hipster, made his directorial Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in 2021 withShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The Marvel installment also introduced Liu as the titular hero Shang-Chi, acting as a star-making vehicle for him. SinceShang-Chi’s release, a sequel has been announced, but there hasn’t been much development in over four years.
In an interview withScreenRant’sLiam Crowley to promote his new movieLast Breath, Liu discussed whether Cretton’s dual involvement in theShang-Chisequel andSpider-Man 4has affected this release. Though he initially avoided the question, Liu eventually answeredthat he doesn’t “think anything’s been impacted.“However, he did not provide an additional update on the untitledShang-Chisequel’s release. Check out the full exchange below:
Liam Crowley (ScreenRant):It helps being on a team. That’s something, Simu, you might not be a stranger to in the future. I’m going to bother you about Shang-Chi.
Simu Liu:I have no idea what you’re talking about.
Crowley:I wanted to ask about the sequel, not about Avengers. Destin Daniel Cretton is taking on Spider-Man 4 coming out next summer. Has that impacted the sequel’s release date at all?
Liu & Woody Harrelson:uncertain noises and shrugs
Crowley:Am I going to be 30 before I see a sequel?
Crowley:I’m 24.
Liu:24 (laughs).
Harrelson:He’s not only so stylish, he’s so young. He’s also a great interviewer. He’s like a great interviewer!
Harrelson:Why can’t we be like this guy?
Crowley:(laughs) We just want a sequel to Shang-Chi, Simu.
Harrelson:And he stays with it!
Liu:I don’t think anything’s been impacted. I think we’re all… I speak to Destin often and there’s nothing coming out of both of us but excitement to make this film.
What This Means For The Shang-Chi Sequel
Spider-Man Will Likely Take Precedence
As Crowley mentioned in the interview question, Cretton has also been tapped to direct thefourth Tom HollandSpider-Manmovie. Though production has been slow on this movie as well,it is currently expected to be released in July 2026. The previous Holland-ledSpider-Manmovies were smash hits for the MCU, withSpider-Man: No Way Homemaking just shy of $2 billion at the global box office. As such, it makes sense whySpider-Man4might be Marvel’s priority.
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UnlikeSpider-Man 4, theShang-Chisequeldoes not yet have a release date planned.With the 2021 movie making a comparatively smaller $432.2 million globally, the sequel movie can get pushed aside in favor of Holland’s bigger-name work, and Cretton’s involvement in both projects puts things further at risk. Liu does not seem sure about the exact implications the director’s status will have onShang-Chi2, but at least offers “excitement to make this film,” indicating that progress will at least eventually arrive.
Our Take On The Shang-Chi News
Shang-Chi Type Stories May Not Be Marvel’s Top Priority
Liu’s uncertain response does not provide much assurance thatShang-Chiwill see the light of day swiftly. An additional barrier to the sequel’s production is that the MCU seems to be focusing on superhero team-up films (e.g.Thunderbolts,The Fantastic Four: First Steps, andAvengers: Doomsday). This could further de-incentivize the MCU from pouring energy and resources intoShang-Chi, especially with Cretton busy on a solo movie that is a more guaranteed success. If Liu’s statement about them not being affected is correct, though, aShang-Chi 2release date could be announced sooner than we think.
