Simu Liu reveals creative vision behind Shang-Chi at Abu Dhabi's MEFCC

Simu Liu reveals creative vision behind Shang-Chi at Abu Dhabi's MEFCC

Canadian actor Simu Liu offered fans at Middle East Film & Comic Con an intimate look at how Shang-Chi evolved from comic book pages to blockbuster screen, revealing the creative decisions that shaped one of Marvel's most distinctive heroes.

Speaking on the Beyond the Multiverse panel at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi on Friday, 11 September, Liu explained how director Destin Daniel Cretton deliberately moved away from earlier comic iterations of the character that he felt resembled a Bruce Lee caricature.

"His vision for Shang-Chi was very different from many iterations that existed of him," Liu told the audience. "He really wanted Shang-Chi to be a 24-year-old kid, like the way that any of us know people who are 24. Wanted him to have friends and go to karaoke and stay out late, just like everyone else does."

The approach proved successful. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, released in 2021, grossed $432.2 million worldwide and became the ninth-highest-grossing film of that year. The film marked a milestone as the first Marvel Studios production with an Asian director and predominantly Asian cast, earning $224.5 million domestically to become 2021's top-grossing film in the U.S. and Canada.

Liu appeared alongside Pom Klementieff, who plays Mantis in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The panel marked Liu's only day at the festival, which runs through Sunday, 13 September, at the region's largest pop culture convention. MEFCC, inaugurated in 2012, drew more than 46,000 visitors to its 2025 edition.

From audition anxiety to Marvel stardom

The actor recalled the agonising wait between his final screen test and the life-changing phone call from his manager. "I was in my underwear. I'd just woken up from a nap," Liu said. "Every time the phone buzzes, you're like, 'Oh, is it?' It's the worst experience ever because you're waiting for something that might not come."

When confirmation finally arrived just two days after his screen test, tears followed. "I knew that my life would be different forever," he said.

Klementieff shared a similar experience, describing how a call from her manager in Los Angeles changed everything. "It was incredible. I will remember it for the rest of my life."

Production of Shang-Chi faced its own challenges. Filming began in Sydney in February 2020 but halted in March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast and crew resumed work in August and completed production in October of that year. The film became one of Disney's first pandemic-era blockbusters to receive an exclusive theatrical release.

Looking ahead to Avengers: Doomsday

Liu will reprise his role as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on 18 December. The film, directed by Joe and Anthony Russo, will feature Robert Downey Jr. returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Doctor Doom.

Meanwhile, director Cretton has signed a multiyear deal with Marvel Studios and Hulu's Onyx Collective to develop a Shang-Chi sequel and work on a new Marvel series for Disney+.

During the panel, Liu revealed he has recently returned to the source material. "I've actually been discovering more of his comics lately, which has been nice, kind of just viewing it as a fan."

That knowledge came in handy when asked which of the ten rings he would keep if limited to one. "I know about the 10 rings of the comics because they're like rings on your fingers, and they each control a different element of something," he explained. "I think there's one that freezes time."

What if Shang-Chi met Mantis?

When asked how their characters might interact within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, both actors agreed they would get along well. Liu suggested San Francisco as the setting. "I don't think Mantis has ever been to San Francisco. Maybe we'll go to a Giants game or something."

The actors joked their characters together could take over the universe, though their immediate plans seemed more modest.

Klementieff, who was asked whether Mantis's empathic abilities would be a blessing or curse in real life, acknowledged the potential difficulty. "I feel like an empath sometimes too. I feel things really strongly, and most of the time it's hard to hide my emotions or to hide how I feel. You would feel too much, you know."

Liu agreed the power would be exhausting.

Beyond Marvel

Klementieff's recent work includes the role of Paris in Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, released on 23 May 2025, in which she performed many of her own stunts. The film brought her to Abu Dhabi multiple times for shooting and promotional activities, including scenes filmed at the city's airport.

"I've been here several times already," Klementieff said. "I went to the Louvre Museum. I went to teamLab. I'm excited to discover this butterfly museum, and I love the culture here."

Liu's Abu Dhabi visit included sandboarding in the desert and a morning of padel. "It's a bit warmer here than I'm used to, but it's so beautiful, and everyone has been so friendly," he said. The unseasonably warm weather reflected MEFCC's schedule change from its originally planned April dates to September.

Klementieff returns to the Main Stage on Saturday, 12 September, joining John Cena, Charithra Chandran and Joonas Suotamo for a group panel from 4pm to 4.45pm. Day tickets cost Dh190 on Saturday and Dh160 on Sunday.