The release of Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is almost upon us, but the film’s star already has ideas of where Shang-Chi should be heading. In fact, there are rumblings about a potential team-up with a certain Star-Spangled Avenger.

Is the Master of Kung Fu on a collision course with the former Falcon and the current Sentinel of Liberty? Check out the details revealed below.

Shang-Chi and Sam Wilson-Captain America

During a video interview as part of the promotions for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Simu Liu mentioned his admiration and praise for Anthony Mackie’s journey in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, in becoming the Captain America for a new generation.

In particular, the actor mentions the end speech Mackie’s Captain America makes at the finale of the Disney+ Marvel series:

I thought his monologue at the end of Falcon and Winter Soldier was just so fantastic, and the way that he embodies that role, and the poise, what a perfect way to wrap up the arc of the Falcon. And then what a beautiful way to begin another chapter as the new Captain America.

The star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings alludes to the fact that Mackie’s Captain America mirrors his own goals of wider representation in the mega-popular Marvel Cinematic Universe. With his film, Liu represents the first major solo entry in the MCU franchise that is headlined by an Asian superhero. This was, after all, the major motivation behind Liu’s interest and pursuit of the role, as he first attempted to get Marvel Studios’ attention through Twitter back in 2014.

"I've already said too much." #ShangChi star @SimuLiu would "hypothetically" love to act alongside @AnthonyMackie, @MarvelStudios' new Captain America. pic.twitter.com/j9ADDJAdnF

— AP Entertainment (@APEntertainment) August 26, 2021

When asked specifically about the potential of teaming up with Anthony Mackie’s recently minted, high-flying Captain America, Simu Liu gave a positive, but vague, answer:

I would hypothetically love to, potentially, perhaps, maybe, someday work with him. If that was in the cards, maybe, again, not sure, cannot confirm nor deny. I've already said too much.

Judging by Liu’s words, it would appear that there have already been at least some discussions of the potential team up between the two superheroes.

Shang-Chi and Spider-Man

Although Simu Liu teased Shang-Chi potentially fighting alongside Sam Wilson/Captain America, that is not the only team-up the actor would like in the future. After all, the comics inspiration of the MCU had crossovers and team-ups on a regular basis, even if they sometimes did not make sense.

Despite the MCU already being famous for that, with the most recent confirmed being Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) as a huge part of Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Thus, it should come as no surprise that Simu Liu would like a team-up with everyone’s favorite Friendly Neighborhood Wall-crawler, as well:

Simu Liu wants #ShangChi to team up with Spider-Man to adapt the 'Spider-Island' comic arc next

'I really hope that Kevin [Feige] gets to see this'

(via @screenrant | https://t.co/PLg9ckyQfe) pic.twitter.com/ZcaBmazkGR

— Fandom (@getFANDOM) August 23, 2021

Well, there's this wonderful comic run where Shang-Chi teams up with Spider-Man and teaches him martial arts and Kung Fu and develops a style around him. And it's this really cool run. I think it's pretty cool. I just think it'd be really incredible to work with, first of all, with an actor like Tom who's so incredibly talented in his own right. And also, I just want that for the culture. You know? I want to see the two of them fighting.

Liu is referring to the storyline "Spider-Island" that ran in the Spider-Man comics in 2011. As part of the storyline, Peter Parker aka Spider-Man lost the benefit of his Spider-sense, which he relied on for his spatial awareness in combat. The ability is what allowed him to dodge most incoming attacks. To compensate, he requested the help of Shang-Chi to train him in martial arts. The Master of Kung Fu obliged, and the two heroes developed Peter’s own unique style called Way of the Spider.

With how Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige loves to reference events and situations from the Marvel Comics books, Simu Liu teaming up with Tom Holland's Spidey is certainly possible. However, a new set of Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures negotiations might be required for it to happen.

Shang-Chi and... Groot?

But Captain America and Spider-Man are not the only MCU mainstays Simu Liu expressed interest in teaming up with. One curious choice Liu has previously mentioned is the ragtag interstellar team of mercenaries, the Guardians of the Galaxy:

#ShangChi star @SimuLiu has expressed interest in teaming up with the #GuardiansOfTheGalaxy in a future #MCU project: "I just think that [Shang-Chi] would just vibe really well with #StarLord!" Full quote: https://t.co/r9CXTntvCV pic.twitter.com/azyCOzMOhn

— MCU - The Direct (@MCU_Direct) August 26, 2021

I gotta go with Guardians. I just feel like they would all just get along, ya know? I think Shaun and Katy love music, they love hanging out, they're goofballs in their own right, and I just think that they would just vibe really well with Star-Lord. I feel like they would all meet each other and be like, 'yea, let's go to space together, why not?'

A space-faring adventure for The Master of Kung Fu seems extremely out there. But if Hawkeye, just a guy with a bow, can go to space with the Guardians of the Galaxy, certainly, Shang-Chi can do the same and still make some sense in a superhero universe. Plus, with Kevin Feige already confirming Shang-Chi characters to return in the future Marvel Phase Four projects and beyond, this is almost a guarantee.

Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Fala Chen, Benedict Wong, Meng'er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Ronny Chieng, and Ben Kingsley. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, the film is kicking its way only in theaters on September 3, 2021.