Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu denies fan speculation that his title character will appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Liu portrayed the Master of Kung Fu in his cinematic debut as part of the fourth phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe earlier this summer. The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, was a financial success, helping to reignite a box office that had suffered under the COVID-19 pandemic, and was well-received by fans and critics.

A sequel has already been greenlit, with Cretton confirmed to return as writer and director. Cretton has already revealed he has loose ideas for the follow-up, including a dream cast of martial arts film legends like Jackie Chan. Cretton will also be working on a Disney+ series that will reportedly be related to the Shang-Chi franchise, though specific details are not yet clear. With all of these plans in the air, it's clear that the character of Shang-Chi, and presumably Liu, will have a significant presence in the MCU for years to come.

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In a recent video feature with GQ, Liu shot down fan speculation that he would be reprising his role as Shang-Chi in the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. As part of the publications 'Actually Me' video series, which sees celebrities go undercover to respond to online fan comments, Liu came across a fan speculating on whether Shang-Chi would appear in the sequel to Doctor Strange. Using an account created for the video, Liu opted to put this speculation to rest in the quote transcribed below.

“Even if I were in that movie, which I’m not, there is no way in hell that I would ever say it out loud. That’s all I can really say”

Benedict Wong and Simu Liu in Shang-Chi

It is somewhat natural for fans to assume that the Master of Kung Fu is ripe to crossover with the Master of the Mystic Arts. The new sorcerer supreme, Wong (Benedict Wong), featured prominently in Shang-Chi as an extended cameo, as he fought Hulk villain, the Abomination, in an underground fight club run by Shang-Chi's sister, Xu Xialing. Wong then reappears in the final scene of the film to summon Shang-Chi and his friend Katy (Awkwafina) to the mystical city of Kamar-Taj where they are brought into the fold of the Avengers while trying to determine the origin of the ten rings. Thus, there is plenty of connective tissue to suggest that Shang-Chi could appear in what is already rumored to be a very cameo-heavy film.

Liu's denial may be somewhat disappointing to fans, though it must be somewhat vindicating for the young actor that fans are already so eager for another appearance. Liu does however admit that if he were in the film, he would not be at liberty to divulge that information which is not the strongest argument to throw fans off the scent. It is entirely possible that the actor may be lying in order to maintain secrecy, as Marvel actors have become used to doing. This has been seen in examples such as Tatiana Maslany denying her casting as She-Hulk before Marvel confirmed she would be leading her own Disney+ series as the character. Whether Liu is telling the truth or not, fans will inevitably learn the truth when Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness releases next year.

Next: Spider-Man: No Way Home Debunks Shang-Chi's Wong Theory

Source: GQ

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