Mississauga native and global action star Simu Liu is returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, officially joining the cast of the next Avengers film, Avengers: Doomsday.
While fans continue to await the sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Liu is confirmed to reprise his role as Shang-Chi in the fifth installment of the Avengers saga. The news, first reported by The Hollywood Reporter, was later confirmed by Liu himself in a playful post on X: “pokes head out of karaoke booth Simu Liu will return as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday.”
The movie is currently in pre-production and is set to hit theatres on May 1, 2026, followed by Avengers: Secret Wars on May 7, 2027.
Liu joins an all-star lineup that includes Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), Sebastian Stan (Winter Soldier), Paul Rudd (Ant-Man), Letitia Wright (Black Panther), Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), Winston Duke (M’Baku)—and in a surprise twist, Robert Downey Jr. will return, not as Iron Man, but as Dr. Doom.
Since his explosive breakout in Marvel’s Shang-Chi (2021), Liu has become one of Hollywood’s most recognizable faces. He followed up with a key role in the 2023 hit Barbie and has maintained a strong public presence through award show appearances, celebrity game shows, and philanthropic work.
In 2022, Liu won a People’s Choice Award for “Action Movie Star” and went on to host the same awards in 2024. He’s also been a guest judge on Dragon’s Den, hosted the Juno Awards, and even showed off his trivia chops on Celebrity Jeopardy.
Despite his rising stardom, Liu often returns to his Canadian roots. He spent Canada Day 2023 relaxing at a cottage in Muskoka, proving he hasn’t strayed far from his Mississauga upbringing.
With Avengers: Doomsday set to begin filming next month in London, fans are excited to see Liu take up the rings once again—and join forces with Marvel’s most iconic heroes in what’s sure to be another box-office smash.