Destin Daniel Cretton -- director of the upcoming Marvel Studios film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings -- says his son is a big part of the reason he chose to direct a Marvel film.
"I grew up without a superhero to look up to," Cretton told The Hollywood Reporter. "I gravitated to Spider-Man when I was a kid, primarily because he had a mask covering his face and I could imagine myself under that mask. I would love to give my son a superhero to look up to. I feel very privileged to be a part of telling that story."
Cretton's latest film, Just Mercy -- a legal drama film starring Michael B. Jordan -- premiered in the US on Dec. 25, 2019. He also directed 2012's I Am Not a Hipster, 2013's Short Term 12 and 2017's The Glass Castle. Given his history helming drama films, his decision to take a crack at a superhero movie for Marvel caught some off guard
Recently, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige announced that Shang-Chi will consist of a mostly Asian cast. The film is said to begin shooting earlier this year in Australia. Asian-American screenwriter David Callaham will pen the film's script.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Tony Leung as the Mandarin and Awkwafina. The film arrives in theaters on Feb. 12, 2021.