Marvel's 'Shang-Chi' suspends production during coronavirus pandemic
As Hollywood distributors announce delays to movie releases to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus, films currently in production are also taking precautionary measures during the pandemic.
Marvel Studios' upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has called a halt to production amid concerns over the spread of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, director Destin Daniel Cretton has followed his doctor's recommendation to self-isolate while shooting the film in Australia. Cretton decided to be tested for COVID-19 as a cautionary measure. Disney has suspended first unit production. Marvel has yet to release a statement, but Mashable has reached out for comment and we will update this story if we receive a response.
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The news outlet published a note given to the film's production crew, which points out that Cretton has a newborn child, a factor that reportedly helped his decision to be tested as a precaution.
"As many of you know, Destin, our director, has a new born baby. He wanted to exercise additional caution given the current environment and decided to get tested for Covid-19 today. He is currently self-isolating under the recommendation of his doctor. While he waits for the results of the test, we are suspending 1st unit production in an abundance of caution until he gets the results this coming week," it reads.
"This is an unprecedented time. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through this."
Shang-Chi, starring Simu Liu, was set for release on Feb. 12, 2021, but it remains to be seen how this delay will impact the release date.
It's the second film to halt production in Australia this week, as THR points out, with Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis Presley film halted in pre-production after star Tom Hanks tested positive for the virus.
The Marvel film joins a host of other ready-to-release films to have their release dates delayed due to the spread of the coronavirus, including Disney's live-action Mulan, John Krasinski's A Quiet Place II, the ninth Fast and the Furious film, and the 25th James Bond film, No Time to Die.
According to the World Health Organisation, the global count of confirmed COVID-19 cases is currently at 132,567, with 4,947 deaths.
Shannon Connellan is Mashable's UK Editor based in London, formerly Mashable's Australia Editor, but emotionally, she lives in the Creel House. A Tomatometer-approved critic, Shannon writes about entertainment, tech, social good, science, culture, and Australian horror.
