Marvel Reportedly Wanted Iron Fist Actress In Shang-Chi Movie

A former Iron Fist actor has revealed that she almost had a role in Marvel’s Shang-Chi instead of her current role as Bugs in Matrix Resurrections.

By Russ Milheim Updated:
Shang-Chi, Iron Fist, Jessica Henwick

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was the second Phase four film to release this year. The project saw the introduction of Simu Liu's Shang-Chi and gave audiences an unforgettable journey into a more fantastical side of the MCU. The movie remains one of the most critically praised Marvel projects of the year, and certainly didn't have the divisiveness of Eternals; a film which has now become the first "Rotten" scored MCU movie on Rotten Tomatoes.

Shang-Chi introduced a lot of new faces and actors to audiences. On top of the titular hero, there was Tony Leung's Wenwu, Meng'er Zhang's Xialing, and Awkwafina's Katy. In another timeline, however, it seems that a previous Marvel star from Iron Fist could have played one of those prominent roles in the film.

The Matrix or Shang-Chi

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, actress Jessica Henwick revealed an interesting choice she was presented with regarding projects she could have taken on.

At one point and time, she was offered an audition for a role in Marvel's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. However, she was also in contention for Bugs in Matrix Resurrections.

It was either one or the other, yet neither was a guarantee. Henick went on to say that "it was a red-pill/blue-pill moment [for her]."

Life After Iron Fist

It's not much of a surprise that Jessica Henwick chose to enter the Matrix instead of the MCU. Her last experience in that world didn't end all that well––seeing as Iron Fist sits just above Inhumans when it comes to the most disliked Marvel project to-date.

That doesn't mean fans have seen the last of the actor, however. Not only could she end up getting a different role down the line, but her previous character, Colleen Wing, could always show up in the MCU for another round.

There has been an endless string of rumors regarding the potential returns of Charlie Cox's Daredevil and Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin to the MCU. If they reprise their roles, who's to say others won't?

Fans won't have to wait long to see if those rumors pan out. Hawkeye, the potential location of Kingpin's return, airs weekly every Wednesday on Disney+, while Daredevil's appearance may come in Spider-Man: No Way Home on December 17.

Release Date
September 03, 2021
Platform
Theaters
- About The Author: Russ Milheim
Russ Milheim is the Industry Relations Coordinator at The Direct. On top of utilizing his expertise on the many corners of today’s entertainment to cover the latest news and theories, he establishes and maintains communication and relations between the outlet and the many studio and talent representatives.