Simu Liu and Channing Tatum Go All In for Their Avengers: Doomsday Showdown Without Stunt Doubles

Marvel’s massive multiversal crossover is quietly assembling one of the most impressive casts in franchise history, bringing together heroes from various corners of the comic book universe for an epic collision. Among the many unexpected pairings teased, one particular showdown has fans especially intrigued due to the contrasting styles of the two characters involved.

This anticipation arises from the clash between Shang-Chi and Gambit, two hand-to-hand combat specialists who have never really interacted in the comics, now facing off in ‘Avengers: Doomsday.’ Trailer footage has hinted at an electrifying battle between Simu Liu’s martial artist and Channing Tatum’s card-throwing Cajun thief, with both actors candid about the effort that went into making this fight a reality.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Liu shared that he and Tatum executed the entire sequence themselves without stunt doubles, a choice that came with real physical challenges. Liu described the experience as genuinely painful, crediting directors Joe and Anthony Russo for prioritizing practical realism over heavy digital effects in the sequence.

According to Liu, this iteration of Shang-Chi has evolved since audiences last saw him, describing his character as “slightly more mature and self-assured” and someone who’s simply “ready for a fight” no matter who stands in front of him. He also noted a small but significant detail from behind the scenes, revealing that his elbows were bruised during filming because Tatum’s staff prop was real while Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings were not.

Liu’s commitment to performing his own stunts was matched by Tatum. In a separate official Marvel interview at Comic-Con, Liu explained that Tatum immediately raised the bar during their first fight rehearsal, admitting he was impressed by Tatum’s skill once rehearsals began.

Liu described both himself and Tatum as “two people who don’t like to let the stunt doubles do it,” emphasizing their dedication to fully owning the physicality of their scenes. This mutual investment reportedly led to an unusually extensive rehearsal process, with both actors pushing each other to achieve their best in the choreography.

Given Shang-Chi’s reputation as one of the greatest fighters in the Marvel universe, Liu made it clear he wanted that legacy to be reflected on screen, whether he was facing Gambit or eventually Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom. This commitment to authenticity seems to be a defining aspect of how both actors approached their roles in the film.

The clash between Shang-Chi and Gambit is just one part of an enormous ensemble cast assembled for ‘Avengers: Doomsday,’ which unites heroes and villains from various MCU eras and the previously separate X-Men film franchise. With the Russo brothers returning to direct and Downey stepping into the role of Doctor Doom, the film is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious crossover events Marvel has ever attempted.

For fans accustomed to heavily digital, CGI-assisted superhero action, Liu and Tatum’s approach offers a refreshing nod to more grounded, practical fight choreography. Whether this hands-on commitment will result in one of the film’s standout sequences will be revealed when ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

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