Shang-Chi star Simu Liu expressed his anger on social media on Saturday over Disney CEO Bob Chapek calling the release of his upcoming Marvel film “an interesting experiment.” The actor, who shared his thoughts on his Instagram and Twitter accounts, disagreed with the executive’s claim.
“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 performer wrote on Instagram. “I’m fired the f**k up to make history on September 3rd; JOIN US.” He later expressed the same sentiment on Twitter.
Chapek made the comment last Thursday during a Disney earning call, Deadline is reporting. His remark came as he was commenting on the fact that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will play in theaters for 45 days, before becoming available for streaming on Disney+.
The MCU movie, which will be released in theaters on September 3, is one of the first Disney features that will be distributed through this model during the COVID-19 pandemic. Shang-Chi‘s release comes after 20th Century Studios, which is owned by Disney, decided to try the method with Free Guy. The Ryan Reynolds sci-fi-action comedy exceeded box office expectations when it opened in theaters this weekend.
Shang-Chi will be the first Disney film to not be made available on Disney+ Premier Access on the same day as its theatrical debut since the start of the pandemic. Other recent Disney blockbusters, including Jungle Cruise, Black Widow and Cruella, had a joint release in theaters and on Disney’s streaming service.
Chapek went on to say during the call that “The prospect of being able to take a Marvel title to the service after going theatrical for 45 days will be yet another data point to inform our actions going forward on our titles.” He emphasized that Shang-Chi‘s release will help Disney decide how to release other major new titles in the future.
Shang-Chi, which was directed by Just Mercy helmer, Destin Daniel Cretton, is Marvel’s first Asian superhero film. It will focus on Liu’s eponymous character, who’s the master of the unarmed weaponry based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into the title Ten Rings organization. The drama also stars Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeo and, Tony Leung.