Marvel Studios lit up the fandom on March 26, 2025, with a massive livestream event revealing the official cast of Avengers: Doomsday, set to hit theaters on May 1, 2026. Among the flurry of big names and returning icons, one announcement in particular sparked a wave of enthusiasm: Simu Liu is back as Shang-Chi.
This marks the long-awaited return of the Master of Kung Fu to the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe, his first since 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, a film that not only introduced a new hero but also delivered some of the best action choreography in MCU history. Since then, Liu has only voiced the character in What If…?, leaving fans eager for a live-action comeback.
Liu responded to the news with playful excitement, tweeting, “pokes head out of karaoke booth,” referencing one of Shang-Chi’s most iconic scenes and reminding fans of the humor and charm he brings to the role.
A Welcome Return, But Where Has He Been?
Shang-Chi’s return has been a long time coming. Though Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a critical and commercial success, raking in over $430 million globally during the pandemic and earning praise for its cultural impact, representation, and martial arts spectacle, Marvel has remained oddly quiet about the character’s future.
A sequel was officially confirmed in late 2021, with Destin Daniel Cretton set to return as director. However, Cretton has since become attached to direct Spider-Man 4, causing delays in Shang-Chi 2’s development. Liu himself acknowledged the uncertainty earlier this year, telling fans that the timeline had “shifted” but promising that something exciting was coming.
Now we know what that “something” is.
What Role Will Shang-Chi Play in Avengers: Doomsday?
The full scope of Avengers: Doomsday remains under wraps, but its cast alone hints at a sprawling, multiverse-driven epic. Aside from Liu, the film includes Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Kelsey Grammer’s Beast, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, and, perhaps most shocking of all, Robert Downey Jr. returning—not as Iron Man, but as Doctor Doom.
Yes, you read that right. Downey’s return is not the resurrection of Tony Stark but a full transformation into one of Marvel’s most iconic villains. It’s a bold narrative move that signals just how wild this movie is going to get.
The film is being directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, the duo behind Infinity War and Endgame, with a script co-written by Stephen McFeely and Michael Waldron—names associated with the MCU’s most intricate, multiverse-laden storylines. This means we can expect high-stakes cosmic storytelling, likely touching on Kang the Conqueror fallout, incursions, alternate realities, and powerful artifacts like the Ten Rings.
That last detail could be Shang-Chi’s key to relevance in the story.
Are the Ten Rings More Important Than We Thought?
Let’s not forget how Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings ended—with a cryptic signal emanating from the ancient weapons and summoning an unknown force. The post-credits scene, which included Wong, Captain Marvel, and Bruce Banner, suggested the rings might not be of Earthly origin at all.
Marvel has teased that the rings could be of cosmic—or even multiversal—significance. With Avengers: Doomsday likely tackling multiverse collapse and universal threats, Shang-Chi and the mystery surrounding the Ten Rings might be more central to the MCU’s overarching narrative than we realize. Some fan theories have even linked the Ten Rings to Kang’s technology or to the Makluan species from the comics—possibly setting up a bridge between mystical martial arts and cosmic chaos.
A Double-Edged Sword: Spotlight or Sidelined?
While fans are thrilled to see Liu return, the size of the Doomsday ensemble has raised concerns. With over 30 confirmed characters and more likely to appear, how much screen time can Shang-Chi realistically get? Will he be a key player, or just one of many faces in the crowd?
The worry is valid. Marvel’s last ensemble crossover, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, was criticized for sidelining major characters. But with the Russo brothers at the helm, there’s hope they can balance the roster—just as they did with Infinity War, where each hero’s arc was given emotional weight.
If done right, Avengers: Doomsday could serve as a launchpad not only for Shang-Chi 2, but also for a deeper connection between his powers and the MCU’s multiverse saga.
What Happens After Doomsday?
Industry chatter suggests that Shang-Chi 2 is tentatively planned for late 2027. While no official release date has been announced, filming is rumored to begin in 2025, possibly piggybacking off the events of Doomsday and using its fallout to launch the next stage of Shang-Chi’s journey.
This would mirror how Captain America: Civil War set the stage for Black Panther and Spider-Man: Homecoming. Shang-Chi’s inclusion in Doomsday could serve a similar dual purpose: giving him meaningful moments in a larger narrative while re-energizing his solo arc with a clearer direction.
A Fan-Favorite Hero Steps Back Into the Spotlight
Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi is a grounded, relatable character in a universe increasingly dominated by gods, multiverses, and madness. His return comes at a crucial time for Marvel, as the studio seeks to re-anchor its post-Endgame identity around new faces while reconnecting audiences with legacy heroes.
And with the Russo brothers steering the ship, the Ten Rings glowing ominously in the background, and a villainous Robert Downey Jr. turning expectations on their head, Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s most ambitious and unpredictable entries yet.
If Marvel plays its cards right, Shang-Chi could be more than just a team player—he could be the key to what comes next.
