It’s official: Shang-Chi is making a triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The excitement reached a fever pitch during the Avengers: Doomsday livestream, where it was revealed that Simu Liu would reprise his role in the upcoming ensemble blockbuster. However, true to form, Marvel Studios kept things under wraps, and Liu himself remained tight-lipped about his involvement until his name was seen on a chair alongside other MCU luminaries.

Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was a veritable who's who of veteran X-Men actors, confirming the film's significant X-Men connection. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all set to grace the screen, bringing their iconic Fox X-Men characters into the MCU fold. Grammer, who portrayed Beast, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene, while Stewart, as Charles Xavier/Professor X, had a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. The inclusion of McKellen as Magneto, alongside Cumming's Nightcrawler, Romijn's Mystique, and Marsden's Cyclops, raises the tantalizing 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 part of the project. "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 humorously referenced the well-known leaks from Holland regarding the MCU's Spider-Man series and Ruffalo's notorious spoiler slip-ups, which have led Marvel to clamp down on information sharing with all cast members.

Liu was also taken aback by the caliber of actors joining him in the film. "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 Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, but fans have eagerly awaited his return. With Avengers: Doomsday slated for a May 1, 2026 release, the film remains shrouded in mystery, with only the cast list offering tantalizing clues. As the anticipation builds, more details are expected to emerge over the next year, spoilers or not.

In the meantime, MCU enthusiasts have been buzzing about another intriguing development—Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday party, sparking speculation and excitement about potential future MCU storylines.