Simu Liu calls out Disney CEO for calling Shang-Chi an ‘interesting experiment'

Simu Liu is ready to make history with the upcoming release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and he is not okay with the CEO of Disney calling the film an “experiment.” So this weekend, he made sure fans knew exactly how he felt. 

To back up a second, last Thursday, Disney boss Bob Chapek hopped on an earnings call with Wall Street analysts and reporters (as CEOs do), where he discussed the release of Free Guy in theatres exclusively. The reasoning, he said, not to also offer the movie on Disney Plus was because of a distribution assumption and agreement. He then brought up Shang-Chi and its Sept. 3 release.

“On Shang-Chi, we think it’s actually going to be an interesting experiment for us, because it’s got only a 45-day window for us,” Chapek said of the franchise’s first Asian-led superhero film. “So the prospect of being able to take a Marvel title to the [streaming] service after going theatrical at 45 days will be yet another data point to inform our actions going forward on our titles.” 

On Saturday morning, Liu shot back on social media, saying nothing about the movie is an experiment.

“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,” he wrote. “We are the surprise. I’m fired the f--- up to make history on September 3rd; JOIN US.”

The former Kim’s Convenience star then shared a series of behind-the-scenes photos to further rile fans up as they count down the days to the movie’s release. 

Between the COVID-19 shutdown, the staggering rise in anti-Asian racism and the fact Shang-Chi is the first Marvel title starring an all-Asian cast -- the film was already an underdog (to use Simu's word) making history in an embattled year in an industry that is chronically unwelcoming to non-white creators. To then have it called "an interesting experiment" by your production company's CEO and feel once again like you have to prove your worth? That clearly stings, to put it lightly.

This isn't even Disney's first streaming vs. theatrical controversy this month. With worldwide theatre closures followed by staggered and limited reopenings, studios like Disney and Warner Bros./HBO Max have released theatrical titles in theatres as well as on streaming (on Disney+, subscribers have to pay an additional premium). The move hasn’t sat well with many industry insiders, who fear permanent damage is being done to the industry as a whole.

After the hybrid theatre/streaming release of Black Widow last month, star Scarlett Johansson filed a lawsuit against Disney for a breach of contract. According to the actor, her agreement with Marvel Entertainment guaranteed an exclusive theatrical release for the film, and her bonuses and overall salary were based on box office performance. According to her, Disney refused to renegotiate the deal ahead of the July 9 release date.

In Canada, it’s been frustrating for fans, as movie theatres only opened across all provinces for the first time this year in late July. While Canadians are able to access plenty of movies through our own streaming services, many titles have been unavailable for home rental in conjunction with the American release dates.

There is less than a month to go until Shang-Chi hits theatres, however moviegoers are already nervous given the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus that has led to an increase of cases worldwide. Last week, experts declared Canada is already in the fourth wave, given the countrywide increase in cases by 60 per cent week over week.

Whether movie theaters will even be open on Sept. 3 remains to be seen, but in the meantime, here’s hoping Shang-Chi and its historic release—wherever it lands—can reach all the fans out there who can’t wait to see it. 

BEFORE YOU GO: Simu Liu is hypnotizing in his 'Corner Gas Animated' appearance

[video_embed id='2261057']BEFORE YOU GO: Simu Liu is hypnotizing in his 'Corner Gas Animated' appearance [/video_embed]