Canadian actor Simu Liu cast as Marvel's first Chinese superhero

Canadian actor Simu Liu has been cast as Marvel’s first-ever Chinese superhero.

Liu, who is known for his role as Jung Kim on the CBC sitcom Kim’s Convenience, will star in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which is about Shang-Chi, the master of kung-fu.

The big news was announced on Saturday at Comic-Con in San Diego, however, it appears that Liu asked the Disney-owned movie studio for the job months ago.

“OK @Marvel, are we gonna talk or what #ShangChi,” Liu tweeted in December.

On Saturday after the announcement, Liu quoted the tweet and added, “Thanks for getting back to me.”

For good measure, he also replied to the tweet with, “Well shit.”

Thanks for getting back to me https://t.co/FFRuM03p20

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019

Well shit.

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019

However, Liu really began mannifesting this role back in 2014 when tweeted to Marvel and asked them to consider making an Asian American hero, following the success of Captain America and Thor.

Hey @Marvel, great job with Cpt America and Thor. Now how about an Asian American hero?

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 17, 2014

See also

• Will Arnett and Mr. Dressup among new inductees into Canada's Walk of Fame
• Seth Rogen is STILL gushing about Canadian food on Twitter
• Canada is getting its own version of RuPaul’s Drag Race

The Shang Chi movie is set to hit the big screen in 2021 and will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Awkwafina and Tony Leung will also star alongside Liu.

Now that the craziness is over, the work begins.

There is so much at stake here; we are fighting for our identity, for our right to be seen, to BELONG.

Eternally grateful to Marvel, to Kevin, Jonathan and Destin for this gift. @awkwafina LET’S GET TO WORK BABYYYYY!!!

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019