On the heels of the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, director Destin Daniel Cretton has officially been confirmed as writer and director for a planned sequel, according to Deadline. Additionally, Cretton is working with Marvel Studios on a Marvel Cinematic Universe series set to air on Disney+ and has now signed a multi-year deal with Marvel Studios and Hulu’s Onyx Collective. Cretton’s new TV projects will be across multiple platforms and produced through a new company called Family Owned launched in partnership with Asher Goldstein.
Cretton’s commitment to highlighting underrepresented communities is a key part of Shang-Chi and its boundary-breaking Asian cast, including Simu Liu, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, and Tony Leung. Its box office numbers speak for themselves, grossing $224.5 million, the highest domestic take in 2021 following a blockbuster Labor Day release. Its worldwide gross stands at an impressive $432 million. Cretton’s resume includes I Am Not a Hipster, Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, and Just Mercy. While little is known about this new Disney+ series, Cretton already has an action-comedy called American Born Chinese in the works there.
Freeform & Onyx Collective President Tara Duncan shared that “Destin is a powerhouse storyteller with impeccable taste in material. As we continue to expand our roster, Destin’s unique voice will help usher in an exciting slate of content for our global audience.” Other artists at Onyx include Natasha Rothwell, Prentice Penny, and Ryan Coogler’s Proximity. Cretton echoed his enthusiasm about this news: “Working on Shang-Chi with Kevin and the Marvel Studios team was one of the highlights of my life, and I couldn’t be more excited about Tara’s vision for Onyx Collective. I can’t wait to explore new stories and build new worlds with this community.”
Marvel Studios President and Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige had high praise for Cretton: “Destin is an amazing collaborator who brought a unique perspective and skill to Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings. We had a fantastic time working together on the film and he has so many intriguing ideas for stories to bring to life on Disney+, so we’re thrilled to expand our relationship with him and can’t wait to get started.”