Simu Liu is poised to become a major player in the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the heroic Shang-Chi, but the Kim's Convenience alum is also set to flex his acting muscles after booking his first villainous role.
Deadline reports that Liu has signed on to play the antagonist in Atlas alongside Jennifer Lopez. Sterling K. Brown and Abraham Popoola have also signed on in key roles, but no other details on any of their characters were provided.
Netflix's upcoming sci-fi adventure follows Atlas (Lopez), "a woman fighting for humanity in a future where an AI soldier has determined the only way to end war is to end humanity. To outthink this rogue AI, Atlas must work with the one thing she fears most — another AI." THR's coverage notes that Lopez will play "an intelligence analyst who gets stranded on a distant planet and must learn to fight inside a military-grade mech suit in order to survive."
Brad Peyton is directing from a script by Aron Eli Coleite, based on Leo Sardarian’s original screenplay. Joby Harold and Tory Tunnell are producing for Safehouse Pictures along with Peyton and Jeff Fierson for ASAP Entertainment.
No production or release dates have been announced.