Kevin Feige says Disney CEO's 'experiment' comment about 'Shang-Chi' was a 'misunderstanding'
- Disney CEO Bob Chapek called the theatrical release of "Shang-Chi" an "interesting experiment."
- Simu Liu responded, "we are not an experiment" in an impassioned tweet ahead of the movie's release.
- At the film's premiere, Kevin Feige said Chapek's words were misunderstood.
Disney's CEO, Bob Chapek, found himself in hot water with one of his newest leading men after he called the theater release strategy of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" an "interesting experiment."
Shang Chi star Simu Liu took to Twitter to voice his objection of Chapek's use of the word "experiment," saying: "We are not an experiment. We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year. We are the surprise. I'm fired the f--k up to make history on September 3rd; JOIN US."
However, during the movie's premiere, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige said that there Chapek's words were misunderstood.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Feige said: "[Liu] is not a shy man. I think in that particular tweet you can see and I think everyone does, a misunderstanding. It was not the intention. The proof is in the movie and we swing for the fences as we always do. With the amount of creative energy we put in and the budget, there's no expense spared to bring this origin story to the screen."
Chapek had used the word "experiment" during an investor's call on August 12 when he discussed how "Shang-Chi" and "Free Guy" would be released exclusively in theaters as opposed to both in theaters and on Disney+ like recent movies "Black Widow," "Cruella," and "Jungle Cruise."
Referencing "Shang-Chi's" 45-day theatrical window, Chapek called the plan "an interesting experiment for us."
He continued: "The prospect of being able to take a Marvel title to the service after going theatrical with 45 days will be yet another data point to inform our actions going forward on our titles."
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, "Shang-Chi" will release on 3 September, and Feige believes the movie can have the same sort of cultural impact that "Black Panther" had.
"When you have the opportunity to showcase a hero that looks like a huge segment of the globe that feels like they haven't been showcased, the magic can happen if you deliver," Feige said. "I think Destin and Simu have delivered for this movie."