Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu is making a statement when he removes his shirt, as the actor explained in a recent interview.
Liu spoke to Toronto Life about the stereotypes surrounding Asian men in Hollywood films, and how they're not often cast as romantic leads. "These are really harmful depictions, so I want to fly in the face of that and challenge people to update their thinking about what Asian people look like, what we sound like and what we can do," the actor went on to say. "If that means taking my shirt off every once in a while…"
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe' Phase Four and will introduce plenty of new characters, including Awkwafina's Katy and Tony Leung's as Wenwu/The Mandarin. Liu will portray the titular role of Shang-Chi, who is based on a character of the same name created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin.
While Shang-Chi began filming in Feb. 2020, production would eventually have to be put on hold due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. The film was originally planned for a Feb. 2021 release date but has since been delayed until July 2021.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Daniel Callaham, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Jiang Nan, Meng'er Zhang. Ronny Chieng, Fala Chen and Jiang Len. The film arrives in theaters July 9, 2021.
Source: Toronto Life