Actor Simu Liu, who starred in Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, will be playing a very different part in Netflix's upcoming film Atlas, starring Jennifer Lopez.

As reported by Deadline, Liu is set to play the antagonist in the movie, which will follow Atlas, played by Lopez, a military intelligence officer who hates artificial intelligence. Atlas will be forced to face her fears and work with another AI to "out-think" the rogue AI and save humanity. Lopez is both starring in and producing the film.

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Other cast members announced for Atlas include This is Us star Sterling K. Brown and Abraham Popoola, who will be playing yet unannounced "key roles". The film will be directed by Brad Peyton (San Andreas), with a script by screenwriter Aron Eli Coleite.

Shang-Chi and Beyond

Following the enormous success of Shang-Chi, which broke box office records despite opening amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Liu has become attached to a variety of major upcoming titles. In July 2023, he will be seen in Greta Gerwig's live-action Barbie, alongside stars Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Liu is also set to star with Mark Wahlberg in the adventure movie Arthur the King, which completed filming earlier this year; and the romantic film, One True Loves, opposite Phillipa Soo and Luke Bracey. Liu will also be returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Shang-Chi, though he has not been officially confirmed for any projects beyond a Shang-Chi sequel.

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While an official announcement is still forthcoming, leaked art from Marvel Zombies, a new animated spinoff of What If...? Season 1's "What If... Zombies?!," may have revealed where Shang-Chi will appear next. A picture of the remaining un-zombified heroes show Shang-Chi and his best friend Katy will both appear, fighting alongside Yelena Belova, Kate Bishop, Kamala Khan, Jimmy Woo, Death Dealer and Red Guardian. Whether Liu will return to voice Shang-Chi in the series is unknown. What If...? Season 1 featured a mix of live-action MCU stars reprising their roles and other voice actors filling in.

Little is known about the planned sequel to 2019's Shang-Chi, but it is known writer and director Destin Daniel Cretton is returning to direct. In addition, Cretton has also been tapped to direct the recently announced Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is currently available for streaming on Disney+.

Source: Deadline