Director Announced for Marvel’s First Asian-Lead Film

Marvel selected Destin Daniel Cretton to direct the film, Shang-Chi, which will be the first superhero film featuring an Asian actor in a leading role, according to Variety. Cretton is currently involved in directing Just Mercy which will star Brie Larson and Michael B. Jordan, veterans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shang-Chi first appeared in Marvel Comics from the Marvel Special Edition #15 back in 1973. Shang- created by writer, Steve Englehart, and artist, Jim Starlin- is a Chinese-American superhero. His skill set includes different styles within wushu, a Chinese martial art that uses the nunchaku and Jian techniques. David Callaham will be the screenwriter for the film and tasked with writing a modern version of the comic. Kevin Feige is producing.

Recently, Marvel has been creating films that involve numerous firsts for the universe such as the first leading woman superhero in Captain Marvel, which has grossed more than $500 million in the global box office in under a week. The studio has also announced that it is searching for its first gay superhero for The Eternals which is based on the comics that originally appeared in the ’70s.