Shang-Chi 2 has been the subject of mixed reports recently, with rumors suggesting the movie could be delayed — or even shelved entirely.
Marvel fans have been eagerly awaiting Shang-Chi 2 for years, but the release remains out of sight. Various factors may be contributing to the delay, leaving the sequel’s future uncertain.
New rumors suggest that the production of Shang-Chi 2 is facing additional delays. According to a recent post by @TheInSneider (via @MarvelNewsFilms), development on the sequel has stalled, though no clear reason has been provided. There is also uncertainty about whether Marvel Studios will move forward with the sequel at all. This comes just weeks after the lead actor confirmed that the movie was in development and the director had joined another Marvel project.
These recent rumors of further delays for Shang-Chi 2 were initially met with skepticism, especially given that just a few weeks ago, Simu Liu, the lead actor of the first Shang-Chi movie, had reassured fans that the sequel was still in development. After the tremendous success of the first movie, many Marvel fans had hoped the second installment would follow soon after. However, the sequel has faced several delays over the years, leading some to question whether it would ever see the light of day. Liu’s recent update reassured fans that Shang-Chi 2 is still on Marvel’s schedule, but he stopped short of providing a clear timeframe or further details about its progress. Despite this, there has been no official word from Marvel Studios, leaving the sequel’s status uncertain. Adding to the uncertainty, Liu’s co-stars have not echoed his optimism. Awkwafina recently shared a disappointing update, stating that she had not received any communication from those involved in the production of the sequel. This lack of updates from both the studio and cast has left fans in limbo, fueling speculation that the project could face more challenges than initially expected.
The delay in Shang-Chi 2‘s production might have an explanation. Last week, reports surfaced that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Dustin Daniel Cretton is currently the top choice for both Marvel and Sony to direct the highly anticipated Spider-Man 4. Cretton is said to be in early talks with both studios and is the leading candidate to replace Jon Watts, the previous director of the Spider-Man trilogy. However, nothing has been finalized, and further negotiations are expected to take place. Cretton has become one of Marvel’s favorite directors following the success of Shang-Chi, and he was originally slated to direct The Kang Dynasty. However, he reportedly stepped away from that role to focus on other projects, including Shang-Chi 2 and the Wonder Man series for Disney Plus. Despite these commitments, the sequel has yet to be released, and there seems to be little progress towards its release. If Cretton ultimately takes on Spider-Man 4, it will almost certainly push back the development of Shang-Chi 2 even further. While this might explain the lack of updates on the sequel, it suggests that the movie is not entirely off the table for Marvel’s future plans — it may just face more significant delays.
Source: @TheInSneider (via @MarvelNewsFilms) | Twitter