Shang-Chi Sequel is Confirmed
And Hayao Mizaki's final go
“Almost half of all Asian roles serve as a punchline, study finds.”
You’re not the only ones disappointed by that headline. For us, “crushing the myth” means dismantling stereotypes and improving Asian representation across all industries, including Media & Entertainment. Because to “see” our community is to see us on screen.
So welcome to Entertainment Exclusive, Crushing the Myth’s new weekly newsletter that breaks down the latest Asian Entertainment news & newsmakers.
Get ready for new shows to binge, videos to keep you on the edge of your seat, and Asian celebs to stan.
*Note: Our full weekly “Entertainment Exclusive” newsletter is available for paid subscribers only — subscribe below. But our separate weekly general headlines newsletter will always be free.*
🏆 The Headlines
If you were missing an Asian superhero on the big screen… You’re in luck. Three months after “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” shattered a box-office record upon its exclusive theatrical release, Disney has greenlighted a sequel to the groundbreaking Marvel blockbuster.
Destin Daniel Cretton will return to direct a followup to his superhero adventure starring Simu Liu, the Los Angeles Times confirmed Monday. “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” the first film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe led by an actor of Asian descent, made domestic box-office history in September as the highest-grossing movie ever to open on Labor Day weekend.
Bond, James Bond. After Daniel Craig bid farewell to the role of James Bond in “No Time to Die,” Henry Golding shared that diversity should not influence the casting of the next Agent 007 in an interview with Radio Times.
“It shouldn’t be a factor at all,” Golding said. “I think Bond represents something that we’ve all sort of grown up with and that’s a man of substance, a man who has stoic properties and is a protector, has a sensitive side.”
“So really, the talk of having to have them be diverse is – it’s great and all, but I think you have to do justice to the source material. He’s such an iconic character, so I wouldn’t say that there should be any pressure,” he added.
Someone came out of retirement. Studio Ghibli co-founder, director and animator Hayao Miyazaki is reportedly coming out of retirement again to create one last feature-length film.
Miyazaki, who announced his retirement in 2018 — the latest of several cycles of retiring and returning — talked about the movie in a recent interview with The New York Times. He said it is based on “How Do You Live?”, a 1937 novel by Genzaburo Yoshino.
When asked why he was returning to direct his new film, he simply answered, “Because I want to.”
No shortage of bodily fluids…specifically tears. “PEN15,” the Emmy-nominated coming-of-age cringe comedy ends this month with the release of its final seven episodes.
Its 13-year-old protagonists, Maya and Anna (played by 30-something actors Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle), are no strangers to the assorted gunk that makes its way out of their bodies. Sweat. Snot. Saliva. Blood. Mucus. Tears. (So many tears.) Occasionally, all this goop and glop is used to gross out viewers. But much more often, it’s presented as a natural and unavoidable fact of teenage life, as intrinsic to a middle-schooler’s daily existence as lockers or mean girls. Read Inkoo Kang’s full review.
🎬 Industry Insider
Shondaland Hires Megha Tolia as First President and COO (Variety)
Destin Daniel Cretton Inks Overall Deal With Marvel Studios & Hulu’s Onyx Collective; Set For Disney+ MCU Series & ‘Shang-Chi’ Sequel (Deadline)
More industry news including job opportunities from Netflix, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures and more below 👇
Keep reading with a 7-day free trial
Subscribe to Crushing The Myth to keep reading this post and get 7 days of free access to the full post archives.