Chinese Canadian actor Simu Liu, star of hit CBC sitcom “Kim’s Convenience”, will be playing the comic superhero Shang-Chi for Marvel Studios in an upcoming film slated for 2021.
Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige made the official announcement in the Hall H arena in the San Diego Convention Center during Marvel’s presentation at Comic-Con on Saturday.
Veteran actor Tony Leung and “The Farewell” star Awkwafina were also announced as part of the cast for the film titled “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings”.
Leung is set to play the villain Mandarin.
The movie, which will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe phase four, is set to hit theaters on February 12, 2021.
Destin Daniel Cretton has been tapped to direct a script by “Wonder Woman 1984” screenwriter Dave Callaham.
In the comics, Shang-Chi was born in China to a Chinese father and a white-American mother. He was trained to become martial artist assassin by his father, villain Fu Manchu, but eventually rebelled against his father’s evil ways and became a hero. The character, created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin, first appeared in 1973’s “Special Marvel Edition No. 15”.
A hit character during the Martial Arts boom in media back in the 70s, Shang-Chi was rebooted during 2012’s Marvel Now! Publishing event as a member of the Avengers.
During the presentation, Cretton noted that Marvel conducted “a really in-depth search to find someone that will capture all the dimensions that he deserves.”
Liu, who was soon brought out to the stage, shared how his excitement when he got the part.
“I was cast on Tuesday. I screen-tested on Sunday in New York. This is the craziest, craziest dream.”
He noted that his parents came to Canada 25 years ago with almost nothing but a hope to build a life for their family and “all I’ve ever wanted was to make them proud.”
Featured image via Instagram/simuliu
