It’s confirmed: Shang-Chi is making his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During the major Avengers: Doomsday livestream event, it was revealed that Simu Liu will indeed be back for the upcoming ensemble film. However, given Marvel Studios' strict policy on preventing spoilers, Liu himself remained tight-lipped even as his name appeared on the back of a chair alongside other MCU veterans.

Last month’s Avengers: Doomsday cast announcement heavily featured veteran actors from the X-Men franchise. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all now confirmed for the film, signaling a major X-Men presence. Grammer, famous for his role as Beast in the Fox X-Men series, made his MCU debut in a post-credits scene of The Marvels. Stewart, who portrayed Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films, previously appeared in the MCU as part of the Illuminati in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) have yet to make their official MCU introductions. This naturally raises the question: Could Avengers: Doomsday secretly be an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

"I knew I’d be involved to some extent,” Liu shared about the film during a recent interview on The Jennifer Hudson Show. “But I had no idea who else they were announcing. They don’t tell us anything. After the leaks from Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo, Marvel adopted a strict no-spoiler policy for the entire cast.”

Liu is referring, of course, to the notorious leaks from Holland regarding the MCU’s Spider-Man films and Ruffalo’s habit of accidentally revealing key Avengers plot points. Since those incidents made headlines, Marvel executives have been especially vigilant in protecting spoilers—not just from the MCU’s known talkers, but from all actors, both new and experienced.

The actor, who also played one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, expressed amazement at some of the legendary names joining the cast. “When Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced, I was stunned,” he said. “They are two of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen. It was a mind-blowing moment.”

Liu first debuted as Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, but the character has not appeared on screen since. Beyond its May 1, 2026 release date and the growing list of attached stars, Avengers: Doomsday remains largely shrouded in mystery. However, more details—whether planned reveals or accidental spoilers—are sure to emerge over the coming year.

In other MCU news, fans have also been speculating about Robert Downey Jr.’s recent hairstyle after the Iron Man actor sent out Doctor Doom-themed invitations for his 60th birthday celebration.