Kevin Feige Addresses That Controversial Shang-Chi Comment
"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" is almost here, and considering the fact that critics are already raving about the movie, it sure seems to live up to the sky-high expectations that are part of the package for any Marvel Cinematic Universe property. However, the hype wagon has hit a strange speed bump along the way. Disney has decided to release the film by eschewing the theater-Disney+ combination they used for "Black Widow," and going with a 45-day theater-exclusive release instead (via The Wrap). "On 'Shang-Chi,' we think it's going to be an interesting experiment," Disney CEO Bob Chapek described the decision to investors. "The prospect of taking a Marvel title to [Disney+] after just 45 days would be an interesting data point."
However, the movie's star wasn't particularly fond of the "interesting experiment" part of the commentary, and as such, Simu Liu issued a fiery response to Chapek shortly before the movie's Los Angeles premiere. "We are not an experiment," the actor tweeted. "We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year. We are the surprise. I'm fired the f*** up to make history on September 3rd; JOIN US."
Seeing the star of a blockbuster movie directly challenge the CEO of the company that paid for said movie isn't a daily occurrence, so potential new developments of the situation are obviously pretty interesting. Now, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has weighed in on the discussion. Let's see what he had to say.
Kevin Feige thinks that the whole thing is a misunderstanding
Kevin Feige was, of course, present in the Los Angeles world premiere of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," and took the opportunity to address Simu Liu's tweet (per The Hollywood Reporter). According to the Marvel Studios main man, the whole thing can be chalked up to a simple error.
"He is not a shy man," Feige said about Liu. "I think in that particular tweet you can see, and I think everyone does, a misunderstanding. It was not the intention. The proof is in the movie and we swing for the fences as we always do. With the amount of creative energy we put in and the budget, there's no expense spared to bring this origin story to the screen." Feige went on to compare "Shang-Chi" to MCU cultural phenomenon "Black Panther" when it comes to representation. "When you have the opportunity to showcase a hero that looks like a huge segment of the globe that feels like they haven't been showcased, the magic can happen if you deliver. I think Destin [director Destin Daniel Cretton] and Simu have delivered for this movie." He also hinted at the future of Liu's character, teasing "a direct line of where [Shang-Chi] heads to next."
And that, barring further developments, is that. With Liu's Shang-Chi firmly entrenched in the MCU, and Feige willing to write the entire incident off as a misunderstanding, it seems fairly likely that the whole "interesting experiment" incident is water under the bridge.