MCU: Shang-Chi Movie Finds Its Director
The Marvel Cinematic Universe's first Asian-led project is going ahead.
Marvel Studios are pushing ahead with plans for a Shang-Chi movie, with director Destin Daniel Cretton being signed up to helm the MCU film.
Word first broke back in December that Marvel were planning a Shang-Chi film for Phase 4, and now Deadline reports they're moving ahead with Cretton directing from a script by Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984). Cretton is best-known for the brilliant indie flick Short Term 12, which starred MCU newcomer Brie Larson, who he also worked with on 2017's The Glass Castle and the upcoming Just Mercy, which will feature another MCU alumn, Michael B. Jordan.
In the comics, Shang-Chi was introduced as the son of Fu Manchu, and is a martial arts expert. The latter will remain for the film, but it's likely the character's backstory is going to be given a makeover. THR notes that the script "will update the character for modern audiences" and is going to feature a largely Asian-American cast, as Marvel look to replicate the success of Black Panther and make more diverse films.
Shang-Chi doesn't yet have a cast or release date, but it's among the more concrete plans for Phase 4, which will launch with Spider-Man: Far From Home after Avengers: Endgame wraps up the MCU as we know it. Shang-Chi joins the likes of Black Widow, The Eternals, Doctor Strange 2, and Black Panther 2 as the movies we can expect in the next 2-3 years of the MCU.
Are you excited for a Shang-Chi movie? Let us know down in the comments.