Shang-Chi 2 Reportedly In Development At Marvel Studios
Shang-Chi 2 is reportedly already in development at Marvel Studios. Back in early September, the MCU's second movie out of Phase 4, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, took the world by storm in its theatrical debut. Originally scheduled to release earlier this year, Shang-Chi quickly became a bona fide box office sensation, breaking Labor Day records in its first weekend to become the highest-grossing domestic movie of this year with $221 million at the time of this writing. The movie stars Simu Liu as the titular hero in his first live-action appearance and charts the history of his upbringing as it intersects with his present.
As with any Marvel project, a sequel has been extremely likely for Shang-Chi even before it premiered. It's rare for the MCU to give a character just one solo project, and the post-credits scenes of Shang-Chi teased a much bigger future for Liu's character. Marvel boss Kevin Feige confirmed just before the movie came out that he and his creative team already had ideas for Shang-Chi 2, and it looks like it's finally becoming a reality.
According to GWW as part of a larger report on upcoming MCU projects, Shang-Chi 2 is now in development at Marvel Studios. Few details were given, but it's said a 2023 production date is eyed for this sequel. This comes from the same report that announced a Thunderbolts movie is in development, along with a solo project for the Marvel hero Nova. Marvel has neither confirmed nor denied this report.
Assuming Shang-Chi 2 is still in very early development, it's still unclear as to who could return for the sequel. Liu will almost certainly be back as Shang-Chi, and there's a good chance Awkwafina and Meng'er Zhang will return as Katy and Xialing, respectively. On the creative side, hopefully Destin Daniel Cretton will be back in the director's chair, though there is precedent for Marvel swapping directors from one movie to the next. Cretton has expressed interest in returning, though, so it seems likely he'll be tapped for Shang-Chi 2.
With a potential 2023 production start on the table, Shang-Chi 2 might not release until 2024. That seems a long ways off, but it isn't too shocking. The MCU is completely set for next year and already has a busy 2023 with movies like The Marvels, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. In the meantime, Shang-Chi could turn up in other MCU projects to keep his story going as the wait continues for his second solo movie. Hopefully, Marvel will see fit to reveal some details about Shang-Chi 2 soon.
Source: GWW