MCU star Simu Liu claims that Destin Daniel Cretton’s involvement with Spider-Man 4 will not get in the way of the Shang-Chi sequel. Cretton, first known for his work on indie films such as Short Term 12 and I Am Not A Hipster, made his directorial Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in 2021 with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The Marvel installment also introduced Liu as the тιтular hero Shang-Chi, acting as a star-making vehicle for him. Since Shang-Chi‘s release, a sequel has been announced, but there hasn’t been much development in over four years.

In an interview with ScreenRant’s Liam Crowley to promote his new movie Last Breath, Liu discussed whether Cretton’s dual involvement in the Shang-Chi sequel and Spider-Man 4 has affected this release. Though he initially avoided the question, Liu eventually answered that he doesn’t “think anything’s been impacted.” However, he did not provide an additional update on the unтιтled Shang-Chi sequel’s release. Check out the full exchange below:

Liam Crowley (ScreenRant): It helps being on a team. That’s something, Simu, you might not be a stranger to in the future. I’m going to bother you about Shang-Chi.

Simu Liu: I have no idea what you’re talking about.

Crowley: I wanted to ask about the sequel, not about Avengers. Destin Daniel Cretton is taking on Spider-Man 4 coming out next summer. Has that impacted the sequel’s release date at all?

Liu & Woody Harrelson: *uncertain noises and shrugs*

Crowley: Am I going to be 30 before I see a sequel?

Liu: I don’t know how old you are.

Crowley: I’m 24.

Liu: 24 (laughs).

Harrelson: He’s not only so stylish, he’s so young. He’s also a great interviewer. He’s like a great interviewer!

Liu: He’s a fantastic interviewer. Wonderfully dressed.

Harrelson: Why can’t we be like this guy?

Crowley: (laughs) We just want a sequel to Shang-Chi, Simu.

Harrelson: And he stays with it!

Liu: I don’t think anything’s been impacted. I think we’re all… I speak to Destin often and there’s nothing coming out of both of us but excitement to make this film.

Harrelson: Oh my God, that was a beautiful response.

Liu: You see that? I (makes dodging motion).

What This Means For The Shang-Chi Sequel

Spider-Man Will Likely Take Precedence

As Crowley mentioned in the interview question, Cretton has also been tapped to direct the fourth Tom Holland Spider-Man movie. Though production has been slow on this movie as well, it is currently expected to be released in July 2026. The previous Holland-led Spider-Man movies were smash hits for the MCU, with Spider-Man: No Way Home making just shy of $2 billion at the global box office. As such, it makes sense why Spider-Man 4 might be Marvel’s priority.

Unlike Spider-Man 4, the Shang-Chi sequel does not yet have a release date planned. With the 2021 movie making a comparatively smaller $432.2 million globally, the sequel movie can get pushed aside in favor of Holland’s bigger-name work, and Cretton’s involvement in both projects puts things further at risk. Liu does not seem sure about the exact implications the director’s status will have on Shang-Chi 2, but at least offers “excitement to make this film,” indicating that progress will at least eventually arrive.

Our Take On The Shang-Chi News

Shang-Chi Type Stories May Not Be Marvel’s Top Priority

Liu’s uncertain response does not provide much ᴀssurance that Shang-Chi will see the light of day swiftly. An additional barrier to the sequel’s production is that the MCU seems to be focusing on superhero team-up films (e.g. Thunderbolts, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and Avengers: Doomsday). This could further de-incentivize the MCU from pouring energy and resources into Shang-Chi, especially with Cretton busy on a solo movie that is a more guaranteed success. If Liu’s statement about them not being affected is correct, though, a Shang-Chi 2 release date could be announced sooner than we think.

Upcoming MCU Movies

• 
  
  

  
  

  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
  Powered by

  
  

  
  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

• 
  
  

  
  

  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

  Powered by

  
  

  
  Expand
  Collapse
  

Source: Melt Down Press