It's official: Shang-Chi is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During the massive Avengers: Doomsday livestream, it was revealed that Simu Liu will reprise his role in the upcoming ensemble film. However, due to Marvel Studios' stringent policy on spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped, only confirming his involvement when his name appeared on a chair alongside other MCU luminaries.
Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was dominated by veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed to appear, signaling a significant presence of the X-Men in the film. Grammer, known for playing Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in the post-credits scene of The Marvels. Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films, made a brief appearance in the MCU through Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. McKellen, who played Magneto, has yet to appear in the MCU, as have Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops). This raises the question: could Avengers: Doomsday secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?
"I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," Liu shared on the Jennifer Hudson Show. "But I didn't know who else they were announcing. They don't tell us anything. Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo ruined it for all of us. Now, they don't tell us."
Liu's comment alludes to the well-known leaks from Holland about the MCU's Spider-Man series and Ruffalo's tendency to spoil plot points related to the Avengers. Since these incidents, Marvel has tightened its grip on spoilers, keeping them under wraps from all cast members, old and new.
The actor, who also starred as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, was astonished to see some of the names announced alongside his. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he remarked during the interview. "These are two of the greatest actors to have ever walked the face of the Earth. That blew my mind a little bit."
Liu first portrayed Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, but the character has not appeared on screen since. Beyond the confirmed May 1, 2026 release date and the announced cast members, Avengers: Doomsday remains shrouded in mystery. However, more details are expected to emerge over the next year, whether they are spoilers or officially released information.
Meanwhile, MCU fans are also buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday party, adding another layer of intrigue to the unfolding MCU narrative.
