With the first Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings trailer being released on YouTube a few hours ago, lead Shang Chi actor Simu Liu has taken some time to reflect on what playing the role of a superhero has meant to him.
Shang Chi actor 'Simu Liu'' explains how the character in the movie is different from comic
The Marvel Universe is continuously expanding and evolving. While many franchises often turn to remakes or reboots, Simu Liu comments that the revival of this popular comic from the 1980s is so much more than that.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Simu Liu comments that audiences know so little about Shang Chi's origin story from the comics. Since not much is known about Shang Chi’s origins from the comics, the film Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has taken some creative liberties when it comes to the origin of Shang Chi as a character and his relationship with his father.
Simu Liu also notes that while the film has been focused on a version of Shang Chi from decades ago, he was relieved that the Marvel team had taken the liberty to work through older aspects of Shang Chi that seemed stereotypical.
The actor also said that though the Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings team was aware of the decisions they were making, the inclusion of voices from so many different backgrounds during the creative process allowed for the adjustments to come naturally.
"The really wonderful thing about movies like this where we have a plethera of characters that are diverse and that are rich in their own sense is that we do have so many different perspectives."
Alongside actor Simu Liu, viewers will also get to see Awkwafina and Tony Leung Chiu-wai featured in the film. Overall, the film's release is being met with a lot of excitement and high levels of anticipation.
Equally mixing representation with action and entertainment, Marvel's newest film featuring the Shang Chi actor is shaping up to be one of the most promising releases of the year. The film is expected to be released in theaters on 3 September 2021.