"Avengers Star Simu Liu on Marvel's Secrecy: 'Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo Ruined It'"

It’s official: Shang-Chi is set to make a thrilling return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday livestream confirmed that Simu Liu will be reprising his role as Shang-Chi in the upcoming ensemble film. However, due to Marvel Studios' stringent policies on spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, only hinting at his participation when his name appeared alongside other MCU stalwarts on a chair during the reveal.

Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement was dominated by veteran X-Men actors, signaling a significant integration of the X-Men into the MCU. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed to appear in the film. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in the post-credits scene of The Marvels. Patrick Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films, had a brief appearance in the MCU in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) are yet to make their MCU debut. This raises the intriguing question: could Avengers: Doomsday be setting the stage for an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown?

During a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Liu shared his excitement about being part of the project, albeit with limited knowledge about the full cast. "I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," he said. "But I didn't know who else they were announcing. They don't tell us anything. Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo ruined it for all of us. Now, they don't tell us." Liu's comments refer to the well-known instances where Holland and Ruffalo inadvertently leaked MCU plot details, prompting Marvel to tighten its secrecy measures across the board.

Liu, who also starred as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, expressed his awe at being joined by such legendary actors as Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he remarked. "These are two of the greatest actors to have ever walked the face of the Earth. That blew my mind a little bit."

Liu first brought Shang-Chi to life in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021. While details about Avengers: Doomsday remain scarce beyond its May 1, 2026 release date and the impressive cast list, fans can expect more information to surface in the coming year, whether through official channels or inevitable leaks.

In other MCU news, fans have been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed birthday invitation, sparking speculation about potential future roles or projects involving the Iron Man actor.