Marvel Studios introduced Simu Liu as Shang-Chi in its first teaser trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on April 19, 2021. The film, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, follows a skilled martial artist whose attempt to escape his family's dangerous past ends when he is drawn back into the Ten Rings organization. Released in U.S. theaters on September 3, 2021, the superhero adventure earned more than $432 million worldwide and established Shang-Chi as a major new character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As of November 2026, a sequel remains in development without an announced release date, while Liu is confirmed to return in Avengers: Doomsday in December 2026.
Marvel Released the First Shang-Chi Trailer in April 2021
Marvel unveiled the first teaser trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings on April 19, 2021, coinciding with Simu Liu's 32nd birthday.
Liu first shared the official movie poster on social media before Marvel released the teaser, giving audiences their first extended look at the superhero's live-action debut.
The footage introduced Shang-Chi as a young man living in San Francisco who must confront the mysterious criminal organization connected to his father.
It featured elaborate martial arts choreography, a fight aboard a moving bus, and scenes highlighting the scale of Marvel's first superhero film led by an Asian actor.
Marvel subsequently released the full official trailer on June 24, 2021, revealing more of the conflict between Shang-Chi and his father, Wenwu.
The second trailer also introduced additional supernatural elements, including the powerful Ten Rings and the mysterious creatures associated with the film's fantasy setting.
What Is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings About?
The movie follows Shang-Chi, a martial arts expert who has spent years distancing himself from his father, Xu Wenwu, the leader of the powerful Ten Rings organization.
Living under the name Shaun in San Francisco, he works as a parking valet alongside his close friend Katy.
His ordinary life changes when assassins working for the Ten Rings attack him and steal a pendant connected to his family.
Shang-Chi travels to Macau with Katy to find his estranged sister, Xu Xialing, before confronting Wenwu and the consequences of his family's history.
The story eventually leads to Ta Lo, a hidden village associated with supernatural creatures and ancient traditions.
Alongside its large-scale action sequences, the film explores identity, grief, family loyalty, and Shang-Chi's struggle to define himself independently of his father's legacy.
Who Stars in Shang-Chi?
The Marvel Studios film features an international cast led by Simu Liu, Tony Leung, and Awkwafina.
- Simu Liu as Shang-Chi: A skilled martial artist attempting to escape his past.
- Tony Leung as Xu Wenwu: Shang-Chi's father and the leader of the Ten Rings.
- Awkwafina as Katy: Shang-Chi's close friend who accompanies him on his journey.
- Meng'er Zhang as Xu Xialing: Shang-Chi's younger sister.
- Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan: A warrior and protector of Ta Lo.
- Fala Chen as Ying Li: Shang-Chi and Xialing's mother.
- Florian Munteanu as Razor Fist: A fighter working for the Ten Rings.
- Ronny Chieng as Jon Jon: An associate involved in Macau's underground fighting arena.
The film was directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Cretton, David Callaham, and Andrew Lanham.
Who Is Simu Liu?
Simu Liu is a Chinese-born Canadian actor who was born on April 19, 1989, in Harbin, China, and moved to Canada during childhood.
Before joining Marvel, Liu was best known for portraying Jung Kim in the Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience, which aired from 2016 to 2021.
His casting as Shang-Chi marked a major breakthrough, making him the first Asian actor to headline a Marvel Studios superhero feature film.
Following Shang-Chi, Liu expanded his film career with roles including one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's Barbie (2023).
Shang-Chi Release Date and Box Office Performance
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opened in American theaters on September 3, 2021.
The release occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, when cinema attendance remained uncertain and several international markets continued operating under restrictions.
Despite those conditions, the movie performed strongly at the box office.
According to Box Office Mojo, Shang-Chi earned approximately $432.24 million worldwide, including $224.54 million in North America and $207.7 million internationally.
The film became one of the highest-grossing releases of 2021 and received favorable critical attention for its performances, martial arts choreography, and visual effects.
It is now available to stream on Disney+.
Is Marvel Making Shang-Chi 2?
A sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings remains in development, although Marvel Studios has not announced an official release date.
In June 2026, director Destin Daniel Cretton confirmed that work on a second film was continuing.
He attributed the lengthy delay partly to the circumstances surrounding the original film's pandemic-era release and subsequent changes across the entertainment industry.
In an August 2026 interview with Digital Spy, Cretton again discussed the sequel and confirmed that the project remained under consideration.
However, no finalized production schedule, official sequel title, or complete cast had been announced.
Simu Liu has expressed interest in reprising the character, but reports about an exact filming date or theatrical release window remain unconfirmed.
Simu Liu Returns in Avengers: Doomsday
Although the Shang-Chi sequel has no confirmed release date, Liu is part of the officially announced cast of Avengers: Doomsday.
The upcoming Marvel film is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo and features a large ensemble of MCU characters.
Its cast includes Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom, Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Pedro Pascal, Florence Pugh, Tom Hiddleston, and Simu Liu.
Disney has scheduled Avengers: Doomsday for December 18, 2026, in the United States, with an earlier theatrical release on December 16 in Indonesia.
The movie will mark Shang-Chi's return to the MCU following his standalone debut in 2021.
Marvel has not fully disclosed how Shang-Chi's character will contribute to the film's central storyline or whether the events will establish the narrative for his next solo adventure.
What Comes Next for Shang-Chi?
The ending of the original movie introduced several unresolved developments that could influence Shang-Chi's future.
In the mid-credits scene, Wong, Bruce Banner, and Carol Danvers investigate the mysterious Ten Rings, discovering that the artifacts are transmitting an unexplained signal.
Meanwhile, the post-credits scene reveals that Shang-Chi's sister, Xialing, has taken control of the Ten Rings organization.
These storylines leave room for further exploration of the artifacts' origins and the future of the organization.
For now, Shang-Chi's confirmed next appearance is Avengers: Doomsday, while his second standalone film remains an officially discussed project without a finalized release schedule.