Last month it was reported that Marvel Studios had enlisted Wonder Woman 1984 scribe Dave Callaham for a mystery project, and now comes word from Deadline that the screenwriter is working on a Shang-Chi movie, which Marvel is fast-tracking for Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
According to the site, Marvel is looking to achieve a similar success to this year’s Black Panther, introducing “a new hero who blends Asian and Asian American themes, crafted by Asian and Asian American filmmakers.”
Callaham – who also recently signed on to pen a Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse sequel for Sony – is Chinese-American, and Marvel is said to already be eyeing a number of Asian and Asian-American directors to take the helm of the Shang-Chi film.
Created by Steve Engleheart and Jim Starlin and inspired by the success of Bruce Lee’s Enter the Dragon, Shang-Chi – a.k.a. The Master of Kung Fu – made his first appearance in Special Marvel Edition #15 and would go on to become a member of the Avengers and Heroes for Hire. The script will modernize the character to avoid any stereotypes of the era.
Marvel Studios is yet to make any official announcements on Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe beyond next year’s Spider-Man: Far From Home, but we do know that the studio is pushing ahead with Black Panther 2, Black Widow and The Eternals, and also has a completed script for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, with Bumblebee helmer Travis Knight reportedly wanted to replace the fired James Gunn.
Are you excited about the prospect of a Shang-Chi movie? Who would you like to see cast in the role as the Master of Kung Fu? Let us know in the comments below…
