Marvel Studios has recently altered its slate of future projects, including the highly-anticipated Avengers 5. The most significant change has been a switching of primary antagonists following the exit of Jonathan Majors as Kang. The villain has since been replaced by the iconic Doctor Doom, set to be portrayed by Robert Downey Jr. In the process, the futures of several superheroes in Avengers 5, such as Shang-Chi, have become uncertain. However, according to recent reports, Shang-Chi was initially intended to play an important part in the much-awaited superhero sequel.
Shang-Chi had a major role in Avengers 5 before change up
Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, introduced in the MCU in 2021, was originally intended to have a leading role in Avengers 5.
The superhero has yet to make an appearance on the big screen following his debut outing. Moreover, Marvel executives haven’t shared any official update regarding his fate in the franchise. If reports by Inverse are to be believed, Shang-Chi was supposed to make a comeback in the first version of Avengers 5. Originally titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, the sequel would’ve revolved around the villain Kang the Conqueror. As such, Liu’s character would have played a pivotal part in taking the villain down.
However, plans for the film have since been scrapped after Jonathan Majors’ firing from the MCU. Avengers: The Kang Dynasty has also been renamed to Avengers: Doomsday and will feature Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom as its main villain. This could directly influence Shang-Chi’s fate in Avengers 5.
Speculations have suggested that Simu Liu could still reprise his role in the film despite the changes. However, Marvel has yet to shed any light on the character’s future in the franchise. According to Liu, Shang-Chi can still return to the MCU in his own sequel. While talking to The Press Trust of India, the Canadian actor stated, “A lot of it is above my pay grade, but it’s definitely happening. [I’m] just very excited to kind of work on it and it’s going to be amazing. I really can’t say anything beyond that.”
Avengers: Doomsday is currently scheduled to hit the big screens in 2026.
