Simu Liu: Marvel Keeps Cast in the Dark Due to Holland and Ruffalo

It's official: Shang-Chi is making a triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Avengers: Doomsday livestream confirmed that Simu Liu will reprise his role in the much-anticipated ensemble film. However, true to Marvel Studios' secretive nature, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, only hinting at his participation when his name appeared alongside other MCU luminaries on a chair.

Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal spotlighted several veteran X-Men actors, signaling a significant presence of the X-Men in the film. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed to join the cast. Grammer, who portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films, previously appeared in the MCU in 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 debut. This raises the intriguing question: is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

During a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show, Liu shared his excitement about being involved in the project, albeit with limited information. "I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," he said. "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 allude to the infamous leaks from Tom Holland about the MCU’s Spider-Man series and Mark Ruffalo's tendency to reveal plot points about the Avengers. Since these incidents became media sensations, Marvel has tightened its grip on spoilers, keeping all cast members, new and old, in the dark.

Liu, who also starred as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, was astounded to see the caliber of actors he would be working with. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he remarked during 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 captivated audiences as Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021. Although Shang-Chi hasn't returned to the screen since, the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday set for release on May 1, 2026, promises to bring the character back into the spotlight. While much about the film remains shrouded in mystery, more details are expected to emerge within the next year, regardless of Marvel's spoiler policies.

In other MCU news, fans are buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed birthday invitation, adding yet another layer of speculation to the ever-expanding Marvel universe.