Is the Master of Kung Fu on a collision course with the former Falcon and the current Sentinel of Liberty? Check out the details revealed below.
Shang-Chi and Sam Wilson-Captain America
During a video interview as part of the promotions for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Simu Liu mentioned his admiration and praise for Anthony Mackie’s journey in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, in becoming the Captain America for a new generation. In particular, the actor mentions the end speech Mackie’s Captain America makes at the finale of the Disney+ Marvel series: The star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings alludes to the fact that Mackie’s Captain America mirrors his own goals of wider representation in the mega-popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. With his film, Liu represents the first major solo entry in the MCU franchise that is headlined by an Asian superhero. This was, after all, the major motivation behind Liu’s interest and pursuit of the role, as he first attempted to get Marvel Studios’ attention through Twitter back in 2014.
— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) August 26, 2021 When asked specifically about the potential of teaming up with Anthony Mackie’s recently minted, high-flying Captain America, Simu Liu gave a positive, but vague, answer: Judging by Liu’s words, it would appear that there have already been at least some discussions of the potential team up between the two superheroes.
Shang-Chi and Spider-Man
Although Simu Liu teased Shang-Chi potentially fighting alongside Sam Wilson/Captain America, that is not the only team-up the actor would like in the future. After all, the comics inspiration of the MCU had crossovers and team-ups on a regular basis, even if they sometimes did not make sense. Despite the MCU already being famous for that, with the most recent confirmed being Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) as a huge part of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Thus, it should come as no surprise that Simu Liu would like a team-up with everyone’s favorite Friendly Neighborhood Wall-crawler, as well:
‘I really hope that Kevin [Feige] gets to see this’ (via @screenrant | https://t.co/PLg9ckyQfe) pic.twitter.com/ZcaBmazkGR — Fandom (@getFANDOM) August 23, 2021 Liu is referring to the storyline “Spider-Island” that ran in the Spider-Man comics in 2011. As part of the storyline, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man lost the benefit of his Spider-sense, which he relied on for his spatial awareness in combat. The ability is what allowed him to dodge most incoming attacks. To compensate, he requested the help of Shang-Chi to train him in martial arts. The Master of Kung Fu obliged, and the two heroes developed Peter’s own unique style called Way of the Spider. With how Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige loves to reference events and situations from the Marvel Comics books, Simu Liu teaming up with Tom Holland’s Spidey is certainly possible. However, a new set of Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures negotiations might be required for it to happen.
Shang-Chi and… Groot?
But Captain America and Spider-Man are not the only MCU mainstays Simu Liu expressed interest in teaming up with. One curious choice Liu has previously mentioned is the ragtag interstellar team of mercenaries, the Guardians of the Galaxy:
— MCU - The Direct (@MCU_Direct) August 26, 2021 A space-faring adventure for The Master of Kung Fu seems extremely out there. But if Hawkeye, just a guy with a bow, can go to space with the Guardians of the Galaxy, certainly, Shang-Chi can do the same and still make some sense in a superhero universe. Plus, with Kevin Feige already confirming Shang-Chi characters to return in the future Marvel Phase Four projects and beyond, this is almost a guarantee. Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Fala Chen, Benedict Wong, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Ronny Chieng, and Ben Kingsley. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is kicking its way only in theaters on September 3, 2021.
