"Avengers Star Simu Liu: Marvel Keeps Secrets Due to Holland and Ruffalo"

It's official: Shang-Chi is making a triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The much-anticipated Avengers: Doomsday livestream confirmed that Simu Liu will once again don the role of Shang-Chi in the upcoming ensemble film. However, due to Marvel Studios' stringent policy on spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, only acknowledging his name appearing on a chair alongside other MCU luminaries.

The cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday last month spotlighted a strong presence of veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all set to join the fray, signaling a significant role for the X-Men in the film. Grammer, known for his portrayal of Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, who played Charles Xavier/Professor X, appeared briefly in the MCU through 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 debuts. This heavy inclusion of X-Men characters raises an intriguing question: could Avengers: Doomsday secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

"I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," Liu shared during a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, adding, "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 incidents where Holland and Ruffalo inadvertently leaked details about the MCU's Spider-Man series and Avengers plots, prompting Marvel to clamp down on information shared with its cast.

Liu, who also featured as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig's Barbie, was taken aback by some of the cast announcements. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he remarked in the interview. "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 portrayed Shang-Chi 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, more information is expected to emerge in the coming year, whether through official channels or leaks.

Meanwhile, MCU enthusiasts have also been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed 60th birthday party invitation, adding another layer of speculation and excitement to the ever-evolving MCU saga.