"Avengers Star Simu Liu: Marvel Keeps Secrets Due to Holland and Ruffalo"

It's now official: Shang-Chi is making a triumphant return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. During the electrifying Avengers: Doomsday livestream, it was confirmed that Simu Liu would reprise his role in the eagerly awaited ensemble film. However, due to Marvel Studios' notorious secrecy around potential spoilers, Liu remained tight-lipped about his involvement, even when his name appeared alongside other MCU luminaries on the back of a chair.

Last month's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal was a major nod to the veteran X-Men actors. Kelsey Grammer, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, and James Marsden are all confirmed to join the fray, signaling a significant presence of the X-Men in the film. Grammer, who famously portrayed Beast in the Fox X-Men franchise, made his MCU debut in The Marvels' post-credits scene. Stewart, known for his role as Charles Xavier/Professor X in the X-Men films, made a brief appearance in the MCU via Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness as a member of the Illuminati. Meanwhile, McKellen (Magneto), Cumming (Nightcrawler), Romijn (Mystique), and Marsden (Cyclops) have yet to make their MCU debuts. This leads fans to wonder: is Avengers: Doomsday secretly an Avengers vs. X-Men movie?

"I knew I was going to be involved in it to some capacity," Liu shared during his recent appearance on the Jennifer Hudson Show. "But I didn't know who else they were announcing. They don't tell us anything. Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo ruined it for all of us. Now, they don't tell us."

Liu's comment references the well-known leaks from Tom Holland regarding the MCU’s Spider-Man series and Mark Ruffalo's tendency to accidentally reveal plot points about the Avengers. Since these incidents grabbed headlines, Marvel bosses have tightened the reins on spoilers, ensuring that all cast members, new and old, remain in the dark.

The actor, who also played one of the Kens in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, expressed his astonishment at seeing some of the names announced alongside him. "I saw when Sir Ian and Sir Patrick were announced," he remarked during the interview. "These are two of the greatest actors to have ever walked the face of the Earth. That blew my mind a little bit."

Liu first portrayed Shang-Chi in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, but fans have yet to see the character return to the big or small screen. With Avengers: Doomsday slated for a May 1, 2026 release and featuring a stellar cast, the film remains shrouded in mystery. However, more details are expected to surface within the next year, whether through official channels or otherwise.

Meanwhile, MCU fans have been intrigued by Robert Downey Jr.'s recent Doctor Doom-themed invitation for his 60th birthday party, sparking further speculation and excitement within the community.