Shang-Chi star Simu Liu debunks a major Marvel rumor

Marvel's Shang-Chi
(Image credit: Marvel/Disney)

Simu Liu has debunked a major rumor surrounding the upcoming Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Liu spoke to NBC about the film and Asian representation, and dispelled speculation that Fin Fang Foom would be making his MCU debut. The report reads: "It also helps, Liu said, that some questionable elements from the source material, like the shape-shifting dragon-like being puzzlingly named 'Fin Fang Foom,' do not make an appearance in the movie."

More merchandise seemingly confirms a dragon will be appearing in the movie, though, with an image of a Funko Pop named The Great Protector surfacing on the web. The Great Protector doesn't seem to have a basis in the comics, so what part this dragon will play in the plot – if any – remains to be seen.

"We knew that we were potentially navigating a minefield, especially when looking at this property that was created by two white men in the 1970s at the height of the kung fu craze," Liu said of making changes to the source material. "We have not shied away from ripping out whatever doesn't work in 2019, 2020, 2021."

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will see Liu's titular character pulled back into the orbit of his father, the villainous Mandarin. An action-packed trailer has already been released, and the movie is set to arrive this September 3. Along with Liu, the movie stars Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, and Fala Chen.

Molly Edwards
Deputy Entertainment Editor

I'm the Deputy Entertainment Editor here at GamesRadar+, covering all things film and TV for the site's Total Film and SFX sections. I previously worked on the Disney magazines team at Immediate Media, and also wrote on the CBeebies, MEGA!, and Star Wars Galaxy titles after graduating with a BA in English.