Simu Liu’s MCU journey might remind fans of a grandmaster chess game, where every move is thrilling secrecy mixed with seasoned strategy. Liu, who first dazzled audiences as Shang-Chi, is now gearing up for his next big scene amid a constellation of Marvel stars. Robert Downey Jr., who redefined the MCU as Iron Man, emerges in a new guise. Together, their paths intertwine once again, promising sparks in the sprawling Marvel Cinematic Universe without revealing too much just yet.

When the kid from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings gets a front-row seat next to the MCU’s Iron Man, the Marvel universe suddenly feels like a very exclusive party.

From martial arts to Marvel magic: When Shang-chi gets a front-row seat

Simu Liu, or Shang-Chi himself, is all set to roll back into the Marvel mix and has spilled the beans about filming the MCU’s latest blockbuster, Avengers: Doomsday. The actor describes to The River his time working alongside longtime MCU veteran Robert Downey Jr. as surreal and inspiring. Liu admires Downey’s kindness and generosity and claims audiences will be “blown away” by his transformative take on the iconic villain Doctor Doom. Once glued to the screen for Iron-Man, Simu Liu is now gearing up to spar with the iconic supervillain in the flesh. 

Marvel’s secrecy remains tightly drawn for the ensemble film, which reunites the Avengers, X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Wakandans under one superhero banner. Liu humorously credits Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo for Marvel’s increased silence, joking that their leaks ruined surprises for the entire cast. Despite this, Liu was shocked and thrilled upon learning that icons like Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart would join the epic showdown, elevating the stakes and excitement.

From martial arts master to deep-sea thriller hero, Simu Liu has proven the MCU to be just one stage of his expanding spotlight.

Simu Liu dives deep from superhero stardom to underwater thriller hero

Meanwhile, Simu Liu’s latest film, Last Breath, dives into the deep end, literally, with a gripping tale about saturation divers facing harrowing underwater dangers. His character Dave, is the no-nonsense pro who teams up with heavy hitters played by Woody Harrelson and Finn Cole. Set sail in the North Sea, and things quickly take a nosedive into suspense. Fans can catch Liu’s underwater thriller in Japanese theaters starting September 26, 2025. Meanwhile, Marvel aficionados can keep one eye out for the epic showdown between Shang-Chi and the nefarious Doom. 

As audiences eagerly await the December 18, 2026, release of Avengers: Doomsday, Liu’s candid revelations offer a rare glimpse behind MCU’s ironclad curtain. The chemistry between Liu and the skeptically received Dr. Doom Robert Downey Jr., coupled with a star-studded cast, primes this chapter as a vital puzzle piece in the Marvel saga. The MCU’s expanding universe ensures there is never a dull moment—especially when heroes old and new collide on the grandest of stages.

As the MCU keeps rolling in fresh new additions, what did you think of this Marvel-lous new fusion of doom and the Ten Rings? Let us know in the comments below.