Video games news, releases, esports and culture — all the biggest gaming stories in one place.
Shang-Chi would have “two sequels already” if the industry hadn’t gone to “s***” when it was released, director says
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings director Destin Daniel Cretton has said the Marvel film would already have spawned two sequels had the film industry not taken a downturn since the movie's 2021 release. His comments point to a broader shift in Hollywood's approach to franchise filmmaking, with fewer follow-ups being greenlit even for well-received titles, and reflect ongoing uncertainty within the Marvel Cinematic Universe about which projects get prioritised for continuation.
The article's full detail was not accessible beyond the headline, but the director's remarks suggest frustration that changing industry conditions, rather than the film's own reception, are behind the lack of a confirmed sequel. Shang-Chi was notable as Marvel's first film to headline an Asian lead superhero and was well received on release, making the absence of a swift follow-up notable to fans and industry watchers alike.
In short
- Shang-Chi director says two sequels would exist by now
- Blames a downturn in the film industry, not the film itself
- No confirmed Shang-Chi sequel currently exists at Marvel
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
The film industry has genuinely faced significant challenges since 2021, including pandemic aftereffects, streaming disruption, and consumer habit shifts, making studios more cautious with franchise sequels even for well-received originals. Shang-Chi received strong critical acclaim and was culturally notable as Marvel's first Asian-led film, suggesting the absence of sequels reflects broader industry headwinds rather than the film's own merit. The director's comment that sequels "would have already" been greenlit under better conditions reasonably reflects how systemic economic pressures, not the film's quality, determine sequel development.
The case against
Whilst industry challenges are real, studios assess sequel viability through multiple specific factors beyond general economic conditions—including individual film box office performance, audience demographics, and positioning within a crowded slate of priorities. Even well-received films may not receive sequels if they underperformed relative to expectations or if strategic resources are allocated to other properties. The director's emphasis on industry downturn may underestimate how Marvel's decision-making balances the film's merits against competitive pressures within the broader franchise portfolio and specific performance metrics.
Explained simply
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a 2021 Marvel film starring Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, a martial artist drawn into a conflict involving his family and the Ten Rings. It was Marvel’s first film led by an Asian superhero and received a positive response from audiences and critics.
The film is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where stories and characters can continue across several films. Its director, Destin Daniel Cretton, has said changing conditions in the film industry have affected plans for a follow-up. The question of whether Shang-Chi’s story will continue sits within Marvel’s wider decisions about which projects to develop.