Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings made a solid $432 million when it opened in 2021. While that may look like a disappointing number on paper, the box office was still struggling massively in the closing months of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Regardless, with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, it remains one of Marvel Studios' best-reviewed Phase 4 titles and put Simu Liu on the map. Unfortunately, the character has been sidelined ever since and it's now been close to three years since we last saw Shang-Chi on our screens.
Destin Daniel Cretton is expected to helm a sequel - rumoured to be titled Shang-Chi and the Wreckage of Time - after moving on from Avengers 5. However, he's currently busy working on Disney+'s Wonder Man series, leaving us to wonder just how much of a priority the Shang-Chi follow-up is.
Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to discuss his new Netflix movie, Atlas, Liu was asked about the sequel and was quick to assure fans it's still happening.
After jokingly asking the host, "You want me to lose my job, is that it?" Liu added, "This is where I use all the mental gymnastics that I possibly can to answer this question," Liu added.
"I will say this. It's definitely happening, I should probably lead with that," the Barbie star confirmed. "People, whether it's online or in person, ask me every single day and tell me every single day how much they enjoyed the first movie and how much of a moment it was. And I think there's just so much goodwill, and I'm so deeply appreciative of that."
"So please know that if you've ever sent me a message, if you've ever asked about a sequel or just approached or any which way, I really take it to heart, and I really, really appreciate it," Liu continued. "I think I speak for myself and Destin [Daniel Cretton], our returning director, when I say that we're so beyond excited to jump back in."
There was a time when it looked like Shang-Chi 2 would tie into the wider Multiverse Saga by revealing that the Ten Rings are somehow tied to Kang the Conqueror. Whether Marvel Studios will pick up on that dangling plot thread or choose to ignore it remains to be seen.
We're expecting a Phase 5/Phase 6 update at D23 and/or the San Diego Comic-Con this summer. As things stand, the Shang-Chi sequel doesn't have a release date.
You can watch the full interview with the actor in the player below.