SIMU LIU is ready to make history when “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” hits theaters next month. The Chinese-Canadian actor, 32, posted an impassioned statement about the film on social media on Saturday, which appeared to be in response to a recent comment by Disney CEO Bob Chapek. “We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year. We are the surprise,” the actor wrote. The “Shang-Chi” star’s statement came after Chapek reportedly called the movie’s release “an interesting experiment” during Thursday’s Q3 earnings call. The Disney exec may have been referring to the 45-day window during which the movie will be exclusively available in theaters before it streams on Disney+. Chapek went on to call the release “another data point” after releasing such films as “Jungle Cruise,” “Black Widow,” and “Cruella” simultaneously in theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is making history as the first installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with an Asian lead and a predominantly Asian cast. It’s a welcome form of representation amid rising hate crimes against the AAPI community during the pandemic. Liu plays Shang-Chi, a skilled martial artist, who has been trained as an assassin since childhood. After leaving the Ten Rings organization to pursue a normal life in San Francisco, he’s forced to confront his past once again. Liu stars alongside Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, and Benedict Wong. (SD-Agencies) |