Shang-Chi 2 Director Shortlist Revealed by Star Simu Liu

During promotion for his new series, The Coppenhagen Test, actor Simu Liu responded to a fan inquiry on social media platform X, identifying his ideal alternative directors for the long-awaited sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. With the film’s original director, Destin Daniel Cretton, heavily occupied with other projects—including the upcoming Spider-Man: Brand New Day and a live-action Naruto film—Liu offered a shortlist of potential replacements.

Liu’s selections highlight directors who have successfully navigated both critical acclaim and large-scale productions. The character of Shang-Chi is not scheduled to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe until Avengers: Doomsday in 2026, making the development of a direct sequel a key topic for fans.

Liu’s Director Picks

Simu Liu proposed three directors to take on Shang-Chi 2:

• Chloé Zhao: The Oscar-winning director of Nomadland who previously directed Eternals for Marvel Studios.
• The Daniels: The directing duo of Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, who won Best Director for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
• Lee Isaac Chung: The Oscar-nominated director of Minari, who recently directed the action blockbuster Twisters.

A notable throughline is the emphasis on Asian representation, with Zhao, Kwan (of Taiwanese and Chinese descent), and Chung all being of Asian descent.

Feasibility of the Selections

Each director presents a unique possibility for the sequel. Chloé Zhao already has a working relationship with Marvel, though it is unclear if the studio or the director would be interested in a return following Eternals. The Daniels are under an exclusive deal with Universal Pictures until 2027, which could conflict with the sequel’s production timeline. Lee Isaac Chung appears to be a strong candidate, having transitioned to franchise filmmaking with Twisters and being in talks to direct an Ocean’s prequel, demonstrating his comfort within major studios.

The core issue remains Marvel Studios’ hesitation to greenlight the sequel, despite the first film’s success as a critical and box office hit that grossed over $400 million worldwide during the pandemic-era theatrical recovery.

Stay Updated on the MCU

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