It's now confirmed: Shang-Chi is set to make his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During the major Avengers: Doomsday livestream event, it was confirmed that Simu Liu will reprise his role in the upcoming ensemble film. However, given Marvel Studios' strict policy against spoilers, the actor remained tight-lipped about seeing his name listed alongside other MCU stars.
Last month's cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday featured a strong lineup of veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed to appear, signaling a major X-Men presence in the film. Grammer, who famously portrayed Beast in Fox's X-Men series, first appeared in the MCU during a post-credits scene in The Marvels. Stewart played Charles Xavier/Professor X in the original X-Men films before his brief MCU appearance in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. On the other hand, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) have yet to appear in the MCU. This naturally raises the question: Could Avengers: Doomsday actually feature an Avengers vs. X-Men storyline?
"I was aware I would be involved to some extent," Liu mentioned during a recent interview on the Jennifer Hudson Show. "But I had no idea who else was being announced. Marvel keeps us in the dark these days. Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo changed everything—now they don’t tell anyone anything."
Liu is referring, of course, to Holland’s notorious history of leaking MCU Spider-Man details, as well as Ruffalo’s tendency to accidentally reveal major Avengers plot points. Since these incidents made headlines, Marvel executives have become extremely cautious, ensuring spoilers are kept not just from the MCU’s known talkers, but from all cast members, both new and old.
Liu, who also played one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, expressed surprise at some of the names joining the cast. "When Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced, I was amazed," he said during the interview. "They are truly two of the finest actors to ever grace the screen. It was a little surreal."
Liu made his debut as Shang-Chi in the 2021 film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, but the character has not been seen on screen since. Aside from the confirmed release date of May 1, 2026, and the growing list of attached stars, much about Avengers: Doomsday remains unclear. However, more details—whether officially released or leaked—are expected to surface over the coming year.
In other news, MCU fans are now speculating about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent hairstyle after the Iron Man star shared a Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday celebration.
