> At a Glance
> – Simu Liu told News Of Los Angeles that Channing Tatum became his closest friend on the Avengers: Doomsday set
> – Liu also gushed about acting alongside childhood heroes Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart
> – The 36-year-old calls filming “an incredible, incredible time”
> – Why it matters: Fans get a first look at the off-screen chemistry building inside Marvel’s biggest 2026 release
Simu Liu swapped ten rings for new best friends while shooting Avengers: Doomsday. Speaking with Amanda S. Bennett at New York Comic-Con, the Shang-Chi star revealed who topped his speed-dial list once cameras stopped rolling.
Marvel’s Newest Bromance
Liu singled out Channing Tatum as the co-star he bonded with most. The duo spent time together both on set and off, quickly turning workdays into hangouts.
> “Channing Tatum… I wanted to shout him out because he’s just one of my favorite human beings.”
>
> – Simu Liu
The actor praised Tatum as “such an admirable person” while fans anticipate seeing Gambit and Shang-Chi share the screen when the Russo Brothers’ blockbuster opens December 18, 2026.
Pinch-Me Co-Stars
Beyond new friendships, Liu fan-boyed over acting royalty. He recalled growing up watching Sir Ian McKellen and Sir Patrick Stewart, calling the chance to work with them “many waves of excitement”.
Notable castmates Liu name-checked:
- Chris Hemsworth
- Robert Downey Jr.
- Anthony Mackie
> “Every single person I was working with… was somebody that I had literally grown up watching.”
>
> – Simu Liu
Key Takeaways
- Liu entered the MCU in 2021’s Shang-Chi; Doomsday marks his ensemble Avengers debut
- Production wrapped with “fantastic friendships” across generations of Marvel heroes
- The film’s stacked lineup signals a multiverse-scale story under the Russo Brothers
From childhood viewer to colleague, Liu’s full-circle Marvel moment lands in theaters December 18, 2026.
