Destin Daniel Cretton Gives an Update on ‘Shang-Chi 2,’ and We Love It

Marvel fans have gotten used to waiting a long time for answers about their favorite unfinished stories. Between shifting release schedules and directors juggling multiple projects at once, some of the studio’s most promising sequels have spent years stuck in limbo with barely any updates at all.

That has certainly been the case for one of the studio’s most beloved Phase 4 heroes, whose future has felt increasingly uncertain the longer his solo follow-up stayed unannounced. With his director busy helming other major franchise entries, fans had mostly resigned themselves to a long wait for any real movement.

That wait may finally be easing, though, as director Destin Daniel Cretton offered his most encouraging update yet on the future of ‘Shang-Chi 2.’ Speaking with Rolling Stone while promoting ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day,’ Cretton confirmed that he would love to see the sequel happen, revealing that he had recently discussed it with the franchise’s original writer.

Cretton told the outlet he had been talking with Dave Callaham, his ‘Shang-Chi’ co writer, about the sequel just a few weeks earlier, adding that his fingers are crossed for it to move forward. That kind of specific, recent conversation suggests the project may be getting real attention behind the scenes rather than just sitting on a shelf.

The timing of this update is notable given everything else currently on Cretton’s plate. He originally signed on to direct ‘Avengers The Kang Dynasty’ before Marvel’s larger multiverse plans shifted, a change that ultimately led him toward directing ‘Spider-Man Brand New Day’ instead and left ‘Shang-Chi’ sidelined in the process.

That shift also meant star Simu Liu spent years without a clear path back into the franchise, despite ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ becoming one of Phase 4’s most celebrated entries. Liu is finally set to return to the MCU in ‘Avengers Doomsday,’ giving fans their first glimpse of the character in years.

Cretton’s comments also touched on why the character means so much to him personally. He described Shang-Chi’s journey and feelings of being an outsider as something that resonates with him both culturally and emotionally, tying his enthusiasm for a sequel to more than just franchise logistics.

Callaham’s continued involvement adds another layer of confidence to the update. Beyond co-writing the original film alongside Cretton and Andrew Lanham, Callaham has remained a key voice in shaping Shang-Chi’s story since the character’s introduction to the MCU, making his ongoing conversations with Cretton feel especially meaningful.

None of this amounts to an official greenlight just yet, and Marvel has stayed quiet on any formal plans for a sequel. Still, hearing a director as busy as Cretton actively pushing for the project, and doing so alongside the original screenwriter, is about as strong a signal as fans have gotten in quite some time.

With Liu’s return already locked in for ‘Avengers Doomsday,’ the door remains wide open for Shang-Chi’s story to continue well beyond his team up appearance. Whether that continuation takes the form of a proper sequel now feels less like a question of interest and more a matter of when Marvel decides to make it official.

For a character whose future once felt stuck in franchise limbo, this update offers exactly the kind of hope fans have been waiting for. Do you think Marvel will finally greenlight ‘Shang-Chi 2,’ share your thoughts in the comments.