Warner Bros. Discovery has been in the news lately for scrapping the $90 million-priced Batgirl because they "didn’t believe in it." Some filmmakers and actors have come out in support of the Batgirl cast and crew. Others, like James Gunn, have reassured fans that their projects are safe, but Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu had a completely different response to the Batgirl cancelation.Taking shots at Warner Bros. Discovery, Liu tweeted:
"I'm sorry to inform you guys that Disney has decided to scrap the Shang-Chi Holiday Special due to quality control concerns. I had already filmed the entire thing. I even designed an all-gingerbread Ta Lo. RIP Shang Chi and the Legend of the TEEEN GOLDEN RIIIIINGS."
Funny? Yes. In poor taste and too soon? Also, yes, at least according to the majority of commenters. Simu Liu received instant backlash for the tweet, with users calling him out for being insensitive towards his industry peers. But to be fair, Liu is mocking Warner Bros. Discovery, which has become infamous lately for its controversial decisions. However, Liu could have waited a few more days, but that’s not really like him.
Simu Liu is known for being quite outspoken online and has previously found himself in hot water too after problematic old tweets were dug up by internet sleuths. He has also slammed Mark Wahlberg over his racist assault in the '80s but deleted the tweets after joining the Boogie Nights star in the upcoming adventure film Arthur the King. Liu also blasted Disney CEO Bob Chapek for calling Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings "an experiment" without facing any repercussions from the studio.
Simu Liu Is Excited To Return In Shang-Chi 2
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a sleeper hit for Marvel in 2021, outgrossing Black Widow and Eternals. It also received rave reviews from critics and is arguably the best Phase Four movie. The fact that Shang-Chi is a relatively unknown character and fans didn’t have high expectations for the film in the first place probably influenced the overwhelmingly positive critical and audience response. But still, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a box office success, and that warranted a sequel.
Marvel greenlit Shang-Chi 2 just a few months later, with Destin Daniel Cretton returning to direct. Cretton has also been announced as the director for Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, arriving in 2025. It would be challenging to helm two mega-budget movies in three years, although Marvel has not yet revealed the release window for Shang-Chi 2. Hopefully, it won’t take too long.
Simu Liu is excited to return in Shang-Chi 2 and in other MCU movies, as teased by Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ mid-credits scene. Liu, like the fans, is also in the dark about the plot of Shang-Chi 2 but has teased more hard-hitting drama and the riveting fight scenes that made the first film a success.
"I guess I wasn't the most surprised, given everything that had happened. I'm so relieved to hear that [Cretton] was confirmed to come back, again not a surprise, but it's just so good to feel the engine turning again, and to be like, okay, great, we get to tell more story and delve deeper into the characters, and hopefully provide more of those badass fight sequences."
There is no word on Liu’s next appearance as Shang-Chi in the MCU, but keep an eye out for She-Hulk and The Marvels. As for Liu, the Kim’s Convenience star will next be seen in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie.