Marvel Studios made a huge impression in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con today, after not showing up to the Con last year. As with the years they did appear, they made a few big announcements, much the delight and excitement of those in attendance. And this year was no different.
We’ve known that the studio wanted to deliver on their promise of giving more diversity to their ever-growing library, and Shang-Chi will be one of those heroes to help them accomplish that in a film titled Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
The film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (Short Term 12, The Glass Castle) using a script written by Chinese American screenwriter Dave Callaham.
While it is still in the early stages of development, the film has cast Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) as the lead role, with Tony Leung to play the Mandarin. Marvel head Kevin Feige said that Crazy Rich Asians star Awkwafina is also set to star. Here’s what Borys Kit of The Hollywood Reporter tweeted out:
This is a momentous announcement for the Chinese community as the film will have a largely Chinese creative team behind the title, with a largely Chinese cast. Much like how Marvel’s Black Panther had a large creative cast and crew. This will allow their stories to be told in the most authentic ways, and it will get rid of all the concerns and worries about whitewashing.
Liu comes from the critically acclaimed Canadian comedy Kim’s Convenience, which can be seen on Netflix. Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, who is a four-time winner of the Hong Kong Film Award for Best Actor, will play the role of the Mandarin, who had a highly controversial appearance in Iron Man 3 when he was played by Ben Kingsley. However, it was revealed that The Mandarin was nothing more than a front, as Kingsley played Trevor Slattery, a washed-up actor who was hired to portray the Mandarin. We would see Trevor once again in the Marvel short All Hail the King, where he would have an opportunity to meet the real Mandarin – although Slattery did not have a full understanding of ruining the actual Mandarin’s reputation. So maybe that will play a role.
Awkwafina really needs no introduction. Her roles include Crazy Rich Asians and Ocean’s 8. She can currently be seen in the critically acclaimed The Farewell, a film that I highly recommend seeing.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will hit theaters on February 12, 2021.
Click right here to for much more from San Diego Comic-Con 2019!
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