"Avengers Star Simu Liu: Marvel Keeps Secrets Due to Holland and Ruffalo"

It's official: Shang-Chi is set to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The massive Avengers: Doomsday livestream confirmed that Simu Liu will reprise his role in the upcoming ensemble film. However, due to Marvel Studios' stringent policies on spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, only hinting at his participation when his name appeared on a chair alongside other MCU stars.

Last month's cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday spotlighted several veteran X-Men actors, including Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden, solidifying the X-Men's significant presence in the film. Grammer, known for portraying Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, who played Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films, had a brief appearance in the MCU with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as part of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen, who portrayed Magneto, along with Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops), have yet to appear in the MCU. This raises the intriguing question: could Avengers: Doomsday be setting the stage for an Avengers vs. X-Men showdown?

"I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," Liu shared during a recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show. "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 was referring to the well-known leaks from Holland about the MCU’s Spider-Man series and Ruffalo's tendency to reveal plot points about the Avengers. Since these incidents, Marvel has tightened its control over spoilers, keeping even the most talkative cast members in the dark.

Liu, who also starred as one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, was surprised by some of the names announced for Avengers: Doomsday. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he said in 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 portrayed Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, and fans have been eagerly awaiting his return. With Avengers: Doomsday set for release on May 1, 2026, and a diverse lineup of actors confirmed, the film remains shrouded in mystery. More details are expected to emerge over the next year, whether through official channels or unexpected leaks.

Meanwhile, MCU enthusiasts have also been buzzing about Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday party, adding another layer of speculation and excitement to the ever-evolving MCU landscape.