The Marvel Cinematic Universe is known for constantly putting out new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Despite this, a few upcoming Marvel movies have been taking way too long, chief among them being Shang-Chi 2. Fans are constantly asking about the Shang-Chi sequel, and director Destin Daniel Cretton recently got honest about why it's taken so long.
Following Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Cretton returned to Marvel by directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is breaking records at the box office. During an interview with The Wrap, the acclaimed director got real about why it's taken so long to get Shang-Chi's sequel off the ground. He offered:
When you really look at what happened to the industry, at least from my perspective, it was just like everything went to shit after that. I feel like if Marvel was where it was before, we would have had maybe two sequels already. Who knows?
That's an interesting perspective. Rather than the delays being a Shang-Chi problem, Destin Daniel Cretton seems to think that it's an industry-wide issue. And since the MCU has had some notable misses like The Marvels' box office bomb, and Fantastic Four: First Step's disappointing performance, it's seemingly affecting the way other franchises are approached by the studio. And just like that, Simu Liu's long-awaited sequel has been in development hell for years.
While fans have been frustrated about this movie's lack of forward movement, the same can also be said by insiders. Liu recently said Marvel needs to do better at delivering what's promised, and both he and Cretton remained committed to eventually bringing Shang-Chi 2 to life. In his same interview, the filmmaker went on to say:
I do think it’s frustrating when these things are like left out in the open and you never see them. And Shang-Chi is one of those. It’s still hanging out there. I have every intention of answering the question.
Shang-Chi did well at the box office upon its release in 2021, and fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order really responded to its thrilling action sequences and fresh perspective. A sequel seemed like a no-brainer, but not much forward motion has happened from the studio. In the meantime, Cretton took on another gig in-universe directing the new Spider-Man movie.
Luckily for fans of the hero, Simu Liu will reprise his role as part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast. The Shang-Chi credits scene teased his connection with Earth's Mightiest Heroes, and we'll finally get to see that dynamic play out this winter. Hopefully this will help the long-awaited sequel finally make some progress.
Spider-Man: Brand New Day is in theaters now as Avengers: Doomsday will follow suit on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Fingers crossed we get some good news about Shang-Chi soon.
