Marvel Sets First Asian Superhero Story, 'Shang-Chi'; Seeking Asian Filmmaker To Direct

Image from Nerdist

By Darian Scalamoni

            It was only a matter of time, though its long overdue, to see a comic book character of Asian descent being brought to the big screen and Marvel is taking the proper steps to bring the right story to life. According to Deadline, Marvel Studios is fast-tracking a film based on the character, Shang-Chi.  

            Shang-Chi follows the son of a China-based globalist who trained in the martial arts by his father to use in combat if a situation ever arose. He soon finds out that his father is not the man he had forever thought but is referred to others as: The Devil’s Doctor, who could be centuries old. This leads to a battle between father and son as Shang-Chi tries to stop his dad’s evil doings.

            It sure sounds like an interesting premise and one that I’m for sure going to see in theaters when its released. The studio has selected Chinese-American writer, Dave Callaham to pen the script as they continue to seek out Asian and Asian American filmmakers to direct. Callaham is one of the writers for the upcoming film, Wonder Woman 1984 and is writing follow-up to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.

            Early speculation has me thinking that Henry Golding, whose one of the hottest tickets in town right now following appearances in Crazy Rich Asians and A Simple Favor should be considered for the lead role. He’s a young, budding Asian American star who is also in terrific shape and he’s at the top of my list for potential actors to play Shang-Chi.