For Shang-Chi, Marvel Studios is reportedly looking to cast its lead role soon, with only Chinese actors in contention - possibly for a reveal at San Diego Comic-Con. With all three of 2019's Marvel Cinematic Universe installments officially released (the last being Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures' Spider-Man: Far From Home), fans are looking ahead at the wide open landscape of Phase 4. Bob Iger, CEO of Marvel's parent company Walt Disney Studios, promised fans that the upcoming MCU Phase 4 slate would be revealed this summer, and Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige has assured reporters on multiple occasions that announcements would be made following the release of Far From Home.
Although no official announcements have been made, the Black Widow movie is filming, The Eternals is casting, and Shang-Chi has a director in Destin Daniel Cretton, if not a star - just yet. So fans know a little about what to expect from Phase 4. For its part, Shang-Chi will mark Marvel Studios' first feature with an Asian-American lead, and it appears the studio and the film's creatives are dedicated to making sure they do the superhero justice. Now, according to the latest reports, it seems Marvel Studios is moving quickly to cast the lead role of Shang-Chi, and they're being particular in their search for the next MCU hero.
Variety's Justin Kroll reported on Twitter that Marvel is putting out test offers to a group of actors for the role of Shang-Chi. Per Kroll, Marvel is "adamant" the men are of Chinese descent specifically, not another Asian ancestry, to portray the Chinese superhero. As of yet, it's unclear if Marvel Studios and an actor will reach a deal in time for San Diego Comic-Con, but the studio has roughly one week to do so. Marvel Studios is set to hold a SDCC panel on Saturday, July 20 in Hall H.
Given Shang-Chi will be the first major Chinese superhero in the MCU, the role is highly coveted. A number of actors in Hollywood have publicly put their names forward, including Grey's Anatomy's Alex Landi and Inhumans' Mike Moh - though it's unclear if they also reached out to Marvel Studios. Meanwhile, a recently rumored short-list for Shang-Chi included Ludi Lin (Power Rangers). Though it's unclear how much truth was in that report, Lin was born in China so he may be in contention after all.
However, it's not yet known who exactly Marvel Studios sent test offers to. At least fans can take heart in Marvel Studios being dedicated to having a Chinese actor play the Chinese Shang-Chi character. Fans will have to wait and see who eventually gets cast as Shang-Chi, but they may not need to wait too long. With Marvel Studios holding a Hall H panel at SDCC next weekend, there are sure to be plenty of Phase 4 announcements - including, perhaps, who will play the lead role in Shang-Chi.
Source: Justin Kroll/Twitter