It almost sounds criminal how Simu Liu didn't get an immediate follow-up project in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially after the unprecedented success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Thankfully, the long wait is almost over as one of the new faces of the billion-dollar franchise is finally set to make his anticipated return in Avengers: Doomsday.
Speaking with ScreenRant, the In Your Dreams star was asked to describe Avengers: Doomsday in three words, to which he responded: "dream come true". Simu also hyped up the film, saying it honors the entire superhero genre. He explains:
It feels, in a lot of ways, like a love letter to the entire genre of superhero movies. And I think there’s something really fun about that.
In the same interview, Liu also added that Doomsday is dedicated to "misfits" and "weirdos" who grew up loving the comic book film genre. He continued:
For all the misfits and the weirdos and the underdogs that grew up reading comic books and feeling like there was hope for them somehow – that it didn’t matter if they didn’t fit in – I think there’s just always a special place in my heart for that entire genre.
As it stands, key details about the fifth Avengers film remain under wraps, but according to its official synopsis, the film "centers on the arrival of Doctor Doom in the MCU, who unleashes a "cascading crisis" across the multiverse that threatens its existence." The Fantastic Four: First Steps already teased Doom's arrival to the franchise, abducting Franklin Richards during the film's tense mid-credits scene.
As for Shang-Chi, it's already safe to say that the Master of Kung-Fu will have a substantial role in Doomsday, as previously suggested by the 2021 film's mid-credits scene, where he was welcomed by Bruce Banner to the team.
It's also worth noting that the most recent Doomsday rumors (via The Cosmic Circus) claim that he would officially become a member of Sam Wilson's (Captain America) sub-team, along with Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel), Joaquin Torres (Falcon), and Wong.
Avengers: Doomsday is expected to be the penultimate chapter of the Multiverse Saga, with appearances by past and present Marvel actors, including MCU OGs Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, and Tom Hiddleston, as well as legacy actors James Marsden, Patrick Stewart, and Sir Ian McKellen from the X-Men film franchise. Other names like Tobey Maguire, Andrew Garfield, and Elizabeth Olsen are also rumored to be making their returns.
While it's still way too early to tell whether Doomsday surpasses what Endgame was able to achieve, things are certainly looking up for Marvel. And with the Russo Brothers back at the helm, fans can expect the same intensity and massive crossover scope that made past Avengers films legendary.
Avengers: Doomsday is currently slated to hit cinemas on December 18, 2026.
