Marvel’s Shang-Chi Suspends Production Over Coronavirus Precautions

The impact of the global coronavirus pandemic continues to affect the film world. A series of last minute release date delays and changes has swept across the entertainment calendar this week, with A Quiet Place Part II and Fast & Furious 9 disappearing from the 2020 calendar, Disney temporarily pulling Mulan, New Mutants, and Antlers from the schedule, the wrestling world moving to in-studio shows instead of live events, and even Tom Hanks announcing that he has tested positive for COVID-19, not to mention the cancellation of huge entertainment events like WonderCon and E3. And now Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has temporarily shut down first unit production as director Destin Daniel Cretton has been tested for the coronavirus and is undergoing voluntary self-isolation while awaiting the results early next week.

Here is the note to the movie’s crew (via The Hollywood Reporter):

As many of you know, Destin, our director, has a new born baby. He wanted to exercise additional caution given the current environment and decided to get tested for Covid-19 today. He is currently self-isolating under the recommendation of his doctor. While he waits for the results of the test, we are suspending 1st unit production in an abundance of caution until he gets the results this coming week. Second unit and off production will continue as normal. We will reach out to everyone by Tuesday for the latest update.

This is an unprecedented time. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through this.

Simu Liu, who will play the title role in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings responded to the news with a post on Instagram.

“Per the news you’ve no doubt read online, our main unit is going to take a couple days off while some people on our staff undergo precautionary testing. I’m super grateful to work for a company that is proactive, cautious and empathetic during this difficult time. Everyone is in good spirits as we continue to work towards making an incredible film! Stay safe out there, wash your hands, and – of course – don’t be racist!”

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is currently scheduled to open on Feb. 12, 2021. But as so much of the movie calendar has been thrown into uncertainty as the world deals with the spread of coronavirus, we’ll see if that has to move, even if the film’s production isn’t significantly delayed.

We have more information on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings here.

For the most reliable information and guidance on the Covid-19 pandemic, please visit the World Health Organization.