Photo: Marvel
Shang-Chiis a smash hit!
The history-making premiere ofShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsis breaking box office records with an estimated global opening weekend of $139.7 million,Deadlinereported Sunday.
Additionally, the blockbuster has the second-largest pandemic box office opening with a three-day total of $71.4 million. Narrowly beating outF9’s $70 million June opening,Shang-Chicame in second behind fellow Marvel movieBlack Widow’s opening weekend in July, whichgrossed $80.3 million.
Shang-ChistarSimu Liupenned a heartfelt letter about his film on Friday for opening day. “Thank you @disney forthrowing the full weight of your platformbehind this movie,” he wrote in part.
“Many people did not understand that marketing during a pandemic presented unique challenges, or that we worked closely together throughout the entire process. Thank you Jarvis Kim for this most beautiful artwork. And thank you all for your support. Today, finally, we make history,” he added.
Simu Liu inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.Marvel
The former accountant makes his breakout performance as the titular Shang-Chi, a skilled martial artist who has been trained as an assassin since childhood. After leaving the Ten Rings organization to pursue a normal life in San Francisco, he’s forced to confront his past once again.
Disney CEO Bob Chapek previously announced thatShang-Chiwill be available exclusively in theatersduring a 45-day window before it hits Disney+.
The blockbuster is making history as the first installment in the MCU with an Asian lead and a predominantly Asian cast. It’s a welcome form of representationamid rising hate crimesagainst the AAPI community during the pandemic.
RELATED VIDEO: Simu Liu Talks ‘Dream Come True’ on Playing First Asian Marvel Superhero
Liu previously spoke to PEOPLE about breaking barriers in the MCU and joining the Avengers. “I’m excited and I think for all of the good and the bad of what’s to come, it’s definitely a journey that Ifeel very privileged to be going on,” he said in May.
“I know how much it would’ve meant to kids and to myself as a kid seeing this when I was younger. I totally understand the importance of it,” Liu added. “I know that it’s not going to be easy, but at the same time, I feel so incredibly excited to be a part of this movement that gets to push society forward… It gets to deepen the conversation, it gets to normalize seeing Asian faces on screen and hearing Asian voices and our stories.”
See Simu Liu inShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,now in theaters.
source: people.com
