Simu Liu on Starring with Marvel Legends in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ (Exclusive)

Simu Liu is ready to suit up again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Liu, 36, recently told PEOPLE in an exclusive interview about his latest film, Netflix’s In Your Dreams, that he can’t wait to reprise his Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings role in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday.

“It means everything,” says the actor, who plays the titular Shang-Chi from the 2021 superhero film based on Marvel comics. “It’s such a privilege to have played a character that resonated with so many different people.”

While praising fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and explaining how he’s “always gonna be beyond grateful” for their ongoing support, the Barbie star adds that the fans have propelled his career.

“And part of that is like getting to put the suit back on again, except with these incredible legendary actors, many of whom I grew up idolizing and worshiping,” Liu says. “Now, I get to call them my co-workers.”

Similar to the long list of stars in 2018’s Avengers: Infinity War and 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday will bring back a slew of older and newer characters from the franchise. 

Robert Downey Jr. will make his return to Marvel, not as Iron Man, but rather as main villain Doctor Doom. Other popular stars reprising their roles will be Chris Hemsworth, Anthony Mackie, Danny Ramirez, Paul Rudd, Tom Hiddleston and Letitia Wright. Additionally, characters from the Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts and X-Men movies will be part of the film.

Much to MCU fans’ disappointment, Liu’s fan-favorite Shang-Chi has not appeared in any other Marvel movies since he was introduced four years ago in the well-received Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

“You’re not the only one that’s kind of felt that absence,” he tells PEOPLE of fans wanting more of Shang-Chi in MCU films. “Somebody tells me in some way, shape or form — I’m not kidding you, I’m not being hyperbolic — every single day of my life and oftentimes multiple times in a day.”

Liu also revealed that the Shang-Chi cast routinely keeps in touch.

“I would say the Shang-Chi group text is still very active just because it was such a unique experience, what we went through,” he explains. “So is something like [Avengers: Doomsday], which is just a gargantuan production, and the scale and the bigness of it is something that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”

Liu adds, “[Shang-Chi has] given me absolutely everything in my life …  I would go as far as to say that I’ve been chasing that feeling ever since.”

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Before seeing Liu in Doomsday, fans can hear him voicing the dad in the animated In Your Dreams, which came out on Nov. 14. The film’s voice cast also includes Cristin Milioti, Craig Robinson, Omid Djalili and Gia Carides.

The Alex Woo-directed In Your Dreams is available to stream on Netflix.