Fans Wonder Why Shang-Chi 2 Is Still Missing After Seeing Simu Liu Shine in New Thriller Series

It’s been five years since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hit the screens, and Marvel fans are still scratching their heads over why the studio hasn’t capitalized on Simu Liu’s superhero since then.

After catching Liu in the new thriller series The Copenhagen Test, one viewer took to Reddit to highlight his “charismatic” performance and ponder why he hasn’t returned to the MCU since his 2021 debut.

“He’s funny, grounded, and has real leading-man presence,” the user noted. “What I don’t understand is why Marvel hasn’t pursued more Shang-Chi stories. Was it a scheduling conflict, a shift in internal strategy, or did they underestimate how long they could keep characters sidelined? It feels like a huge missed opportunity.”

Another user chimed in, “Yeah, Simu Liu is amazing. He definitely has what it takes to lead,” while a third added, “If Marvel had utilized him properly, Simu Liu could have been the next RDJ or Evans for the MCU. He was young and well-loved after Barbie. Such a waste.”

One commenter praised the film’s action, saying, “The fighting and choreography are the most beautiful I’ve seen in the MCU. It’s refreshing to see an Eastern style of action in a franchise dominated by Western styles. Plus, I appreciated the exploration of Asian and Chinese culture. I saw a lot of my parents in Shang-Chi’s family. I felt represented, and we rarely see a male Asian lead in Hollywood.”

In the discussion, many pointed to the COVID-19 pandemic and writer-director Destin Daniel Cretton stepping away from the planned sequel to direct the now-canceled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty as factors in the MCU’s Shang-Chi hiatus.

“Marvel simply didn’t trust their new characters to perform, which is why so many who should have been the face of the next saga were sidelined and underutilized,” another user suggested.

On a brighter note, Liu is set to reprise his role as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 17. “I’m older now, so I get to bring a bit more self-assurance to the role, especially since Shang was such a fish out of water,” he teased in an interview. “There’s a bit of a time jump, so I think we’ll find him in a place where he’s more comfortable with who he is and his responsibilities.”

The Copenhagen Test is currently streaming on Peacock, while Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is available on Disney+.