Marvel Studios suspends production of Shang-Chi movie in Australia as director Destin Daniel Cretton self-isolates over coronavirus
Production was suspended on an upcoming Marvel Studios kung-fu movie filming in Australia as director Destin Daniel Cretton awaits results of a coronavirus test.
The Australian crew was told that first-unit production on Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings was being suspended as Cretton, 41, was under self-isolation, according to an article Thursday by The Hollywood Reporter.
Cretton has a newborn baby and made the decision to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and Marvel Studios ‘in an abundance of caution’ decided to suspend first-unit production until his test results come back.
Kung-fu movie: Production was suspended for an upcoming Marvel Studios movie filming in Australia as director Destin Daniel Cretton, shown in September, awaits results of a coronavirus test
Shang-Chi was not shutting down with second unit and other parts of production continuing.
The film based on the Marvel Comics superhero Shang-Chi will mark the character’s live-action debut.
Shang-Chi will be played by Canadian actor Simu Liu, 30, who will become the first Asian actor to lead a Marvel Studios film.
The comic book character was created in the early 1970s by writer Steve Englehart, 72, and artist Jim Starlin, 70, who also created Marvel characters Thanos, Drax The Destroyer and Gamora.
Marvel comics: Shang-Chi is shown on the cover of a Marvel Comics book
The Shang-Chi movie due out in February 2021 also will star Tony Leung, 57, as the Mandarin and Awkwafina, 31, in an undisclosed role.
The note to the film’s crew read: ‘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.’
Leading role: Shang-Chi will be played by Canadian actor Simu Liu, shown in July in San Diego, who will become the first Asian actor to lead a Marvel Studios film
‘This is an unprecedented time. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through this,’ the statement added.
Warner Bros. earlier this week halted pre-production of its Elvis Presley biopic in Australia after star Tom Hanks, 63, tested positive for COVID-19 along with his wife Rita Wilson, 63.
Hanks and Wilson remain in isolation in Australia after testing positive.
Newborn baby: Cretton, shown in July in San Diego, has a newborn baby and made the decision to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, and Marvel Studios ‘in an abundance of caution’ decided to suspend first-unit production