The cast for Marvel‘s upcoming superhero film Shang Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings continues to expand, with actress Rosalind Chao recently joining the primarily Asian and Asian-American ensemble. As of now, the cast includes Simu Liu (Kim’s Convenience) as the titular Shang Chi, and Tony Leung (Chungking Express) as the Mandarin, this time for real and not an Iron Man 3 fakeout. Malaysian actress Michelle Yeoh (Crazy Rich Asians) and Awkwafina (The Farewell) have also reportedly joined the cast, although both of their roles remain unknown.
Chao’s character has only been described as “Mom,” which indicates that she will be the mother of Awkwafina’s character. Chao most recently appeared in the Netflix film The Laundromat and will be starring in Disney’s live-action remake of Mulan. Shang Chi wouldn’t be the first project she has dappled with in terms of Marvel Comics adaptations, as Chao had a small role as Emily Chan in the short-lived 1979 CBS Amazing Spider-Man television series.
Plot details for the film have not been disclosed yet, with Black Widow and The Eternals currently on Marvel’s radar. However, audiences have continuously pushed Marvel for more diverse stories and, with director Destin Daniel Cretton and the primarily all-Asian cast introducing this newest hero, they can expect more lead characters of color in the MCU.
More information should be revealed soon after production, as Awkwafina recently traveled to Australia where the filming is supposed to take place. Shang Chi is expected to release on February 12, 2021.
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