It’s been less than 24 hours since Kevin Feige graced the stage at Hall H to announce Marvel Studios’ plans for Phase Four. Even so, the superhero cinematic powerhouse’s Comic-Con presentation has already been picked apart and analyzed to death. Though a few nuggets of newsworthy information and, in the case of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu, some goofy addition of note are still spilling out. Liu’s is especially fun since the Kim’s Convenience actor has been tweeting about Marvel and diversity for years.
First revealed in December, Marvel’s Shang-Chi movie was reportedly making progress in the casting department before Saturday’s panel, where Feige and director Destin Daniel Cretton introduced Liu as the leading superhero. Awkwafina and Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, who’s set to play the real Mandarin, were also announced.
Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, with Simu Liu, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. In theaters February 12, 2021. pic.twitter.com/WePmw8d5Gq
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2019
But let’s not forget Liu’s tweets, because they’re amazing and hilarious.
In 2014, Liu tweeted at Marvel’s official account with congratulations for its work on Captain America and Thor. “Now how about an Asian American hero?” he added. Almost exactly five years later, he was on the stage at Hall H, which prompted this rather appropriate response.
LOL
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019
More specifically, around the time that The Hollywood Reporter first revealed Marvel’s plans for a Shang-Chi movie, Liu tweeted at the company again, asking “are we gonna talk or what”? Less than a year later, well… you get the picture.
Well shit.
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019
Needless to say, Twitter just couldn’t believe how things had turned out for Liu.
Bless you @SimuLiu. #ShangChi pic.twitter.com/WwHTLyDx9S
— Courtney Enlow (@courtenlow) July 21, 2019
They talked. https://t.co/V7nyJ75eDs
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) July 21, 2019
Marvel's new Shang-Chi actor, Simu Liu, tweeted this almost 5 years ago to last night exact.#SDCC #Marvel https://t.co/NAZ4sWjBtM
— Lights, Camera, Barstool (@LightsCameraPod) July 21, 2019
Best. Reply. Ever? https://t.co/Hs3TISA6VE
— William Bibbiani (@WilliamBibbiani) July 21, 2019
Apparently "The Secret" works. https://t.co/NVJ29TOth5
— Ahmad Crespo Childress (@AhmadChildress) July 21, 2019
SPEAK. IT. INTO. EXISTENCE. https://t.co/zKROamX2Rp
— Vagabond EP – OUT NOW 🌊 (@TheNoveliss) July 21, 2019
Apparently this works! Let’s try it.
Ok @warnerbros, are we gonna talk or what #gymkata2 https://t.co/1j3KjzheF1
— Matt Singer / mattsinger.bsky.social (@mattsinger) July 21, 2019
https://twitter.com/Wheeler/status/1152794124162146305
https://twitter.com/andruwuwu/status/1152763639603924992
Hilarity notwithstanding, Liu was quick to say that since “the craziness is over, the work begins.”
Now that the craziness is over, the work begins.
There is so much at stake here; we are fighting for our identity, for our right to be seen, to BELONG.
Eternally grateful to Marvel, to Kevin, Jonathan and Destin for this gift. @awkwafina LET’S GET TO WORK BABYYYYY!!!
— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019