Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings star Simu Liu is headed to the sci-fi genre with his next film, Hello Stranger. Deadline reports that Liu has been cast in an undisclosed role in the film, which is set in the near future and centers on the dangers of artificial intelligence. Hello Stranger also stars Jordana Brewster (The Fast and the Furious), Sam Worthington (Avatar), Robbie Amell (Code 8), and Alicia Sanz (El Cid).

The plot synopsis of the film 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.”

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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 she will be reuniting with much of the film’s production team for her next project, Hello Stranger. Myriad Pictures is handling the international distribution of the film.

The company’s President and CEO Kirk D’Amico released a statement welcoming Simu Liu to the film, saying, “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.”

After his star-making turn in Marvel’s Shang-Chi, Liu has become one of the most in-demand actors in Hollywood. He was recently cast in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie, starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling. Liu will next appear in the action-adventure film Arthur the King alongside Mark Wahlberg. Hello Stranger doesn’t have a release date yet but is currently filming in Toronto, aiming for a likely 2023 premiere.

Simu Liu Will Return In Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings 2

     Marvel Studios

While Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings wasn’t the most successful of Marvel movies, even when compared with origin films, the incredible fan reception and a better-than-expected box-office performance amid a global pandemic necessitated a sequel. Shang-Chi 2 was announced last December, with Destin Daniel Cretton returning as director. Simu Liu recently talked about his plans and expectations for Shang-Chi 2 and his character’s future in the MCU.

Shang-Chi 2 has been greenlit but won’t be released until 2024. Marvel recently rescheduled their film slate, and all the slots till 2023 are filled with major blockbusters like Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Black Panther 2, and possibly Fantastic Four and Blade. It’ll be a while before fans see Shang-Chi 2, but the post-credits scene of the first film teases that the character will play a prominent role in the MCU moving forward.

“I think just what Shaun decides to do with all this newfound power, you know? It kind of consumed his father, consumed Wenwu. I’m curious as to how someone much younger, much more inexperienced, would fare against the rings. Just this idea of all of a sudden being gifted something that’s so powerful but also so dangerous. And then the other big question I have is, you know, in what way does Shaun fit in with the rest of the MCU? Who are you going to see? What kind of crazy team-ups? What kinda tie-ins, Easter eggs? I’m just as much in the dark and everyone else, so I don’t know anything, but I’m excited to dive into that process.”