MOVIE NEWS – Shang-Chi star Simu Liu has joined the cast of the upcoming sci-fi thriller Hello Stranger in a key role.

Shang-Chi and Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu is heading into the sci-fi genre with his next film Hello Stranger. According to Deadline, Liu has landed an undisclosed role in the movie, which is set in the near future and deals with the dangers of artificial intelligence. Hello Stranger also stars Jordana Brewster (Fast and Furious-franchise), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Robbie Amell (Code 8) and Alicia Sanz (El Cid).

So far, not much is known about the film, whose plot synopsis reads: “Hello Stranger follows Faye (Brewster), a woman who attempts to replace her newly deceased husband, Evan, with an android simulant (SIM). Although SIM Evan appears like human Evan in every way, Faye does not feel the same love for SIM Evan as it does for her. SIM Evan tries to win Faye back while at the same time being on-the-run from a government agent (Worthington) chasing down SIMs who have become “conscious” and could potentially be a threat to humankind.”

Hello Stranger is directed by Canadian filmmaker April Mullen from an original screenplay by Ryan Christopher Churchill. Mullen is best known for her 2020 thriller Wander starring Tommy Lee Jones, Aaron Eckhart and Kathryn Winnick, and for her next project Hello Stranger she is reuniting with much of the film’s production team. The film is being distributed internationally by Myriad Pictures.

In a statement, the company’s CEO Kirk D’Amico welcomed Simu Liu to the film:

“We are all tremendously excited that Simu Liu has joined the cast of Hello Stranger.”

“We think that Simu will absolutely do a great job with this pivotal role for April and the production.”

Simu Liu has become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors following his starring role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi. He recently landed a role in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie, starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Liu will next star in the action-adventure film Arthur the King alongside Mark Wahlberg. Hello Stranger does not yet have a release date but is currently filming in Toronto, with a likely 2023 premiere date in sight.

Although Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was not the most successful Marvel film – even among origin story films – the incredible fan reception and higher than expected box office receipts during a pandemic have made a sequel possible. Shang-Chi 2 was announced last December, with Destin Daniel Cretton returning to the director’s chair.

So Shang-Chi 2 has been greenlit but will not be released until 2024. Marvel has recently rescheduled its theatrical premieres, with all slots until 2023 being filled with big blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Black Panther 2, possibly Fantastic Four and Blade. Fans won’t see Shang-Chi 2 for a while yet, but we know from the first film’s post-credit screen that the character will continue to play an essential role in the MCU…

Source: Deadline