An upcoming Jennifer Lopez-led Netflix sci-fi movie, Atlas, casts Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu as its villain. Despite being mostly known for his role on the sitcom Kim's Convenience before Shang-Chi's release, Liu proved he could successfully headline a tentpole film in his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut. It was one of the biggest openings for a post-pandemic movie, grossing $432 million at the global box office and all but guaranteeing a major role for Liu in the MCU's Phase 5 and 6.

Liu's villainous turn will be in Atlas, according to a Netflix press release. Lopez stars in the film as Atlas, an intelligence analyst fighting for humanity in a future where an AI soldier has determined the only way to end war is to end humanity. She gets stranded on a distant planet and despite her fear of AI, she must learn to fight inside a military-grade mech suit in order to survive. Although not confirmed in the press release, Liu will likely play the rogue AI soldier.

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Atlas is part of the deal between Lopez's Nuyorican Productions and Netflix to produce a slate of films and television series with a focus on projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers. The film will also co-star Sterling K. Brown (This is Us) and Abraham Popoola (The Great). On the path to continually diversifying his range, Liu will appear in Greta Gerwig's Barbie movie and the romantic drama One True Loves next, before the announced but still-under-wraps Shang-Chi sequel eventually begins filming.

Source: Netflix