It may be a cliche, but Marvel cast members function much like a large, extended family; it extends to the newer additions to the franchise, as revealed in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu.
The actor experienced meteoric, whirlwind success in recent years: from geeking out after meeting Benedict Cumberbatch to his casting as the latest member of the Avengers, his star power surge is remarkable. Furthermore, the actor landed the leading role of a movie that boasts MCU’s highest-ever audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
As imagined, Liu basks in the comic book blockbuster’s success at the moment, even taking a moment to mock the naysayers who said Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings would flop at the box office. Recently, in an interview with the Phase Zero podcast, the 32-year-old revealed several franchise stalwarts have reached out with congratulations.
“It’s definitely felt like a knighting of some sort. Tom Holland reached out, sent me this very enthusiastic voice memo, which just meant the world. Brie Larson reached out. Tom Hiddleston wrote me this massive congratulatory email, which is so great. Tom and I had spoken briefly at Comic-Con. It was a real full-circle moment to hear from him. I mean, it really did feel like people were watching, and in this moment, they were there to celebrate with us, which just meant the world.”
Not everybody likes their co-workers, obviously, but it is inspiring to see MCU alumni praise Shang-Chi of the Legend of the Ten Rings. It’s a close-knit group Kevin Feige has assembled over the last 13 years; Liu may even team with Larson, Holland, and Hiddleston whenever that fifth Avengers epic eventually happens.
