Yesterday, set photos revealed production in Australia has officially begun on Marvel’s Shang-Chi & The Legend of The Ten Rings along with possibly confirming the Marvel villain Ghost Maker will be appearing.
However, the first unit production has now been halted while Destin Daniel Cretton undergoes self-isolation while he awaits coronavirus test results as pointed out by TheHollywoodReporter.
Cretton has a newborn baby and decided to get tested for COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. “In an abundance of caution,” according to a note that was send to crew, Marvel and parent company Disney have decided to suspend first unit production, “until he gets the result this coming week.”
They add that the second unit is expected to shoot scenes while the first unit is on pause waiting for Destin Daniel Cretton’s health update.
Shang-Chi is not shutting down, insiders insist, and second unit and other production aspects will continue to move ahead.
Here was the message sent to the crew about the situation.
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. Second unit and off production will continue as normal. We will reach out to everyone by Tuesday for the latest update.
This is an unprecedented time. We appreciate everyone’s understanding as we work through this.
It was revealed that both actors Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson had tested positive for coronavirus while shooting a film in Australia, the country is providing free tests which is allowing anyone who wants a test to get one from a precautionary standpoint.
This doesn’t mean that the director will have the virus, but if he does this could have further delays to the film’s production.
The Falcon & The Winter Soldier series had to recently cancel their foreign shoot in Prague because of coronavirus fears as well.
Filming was originally expected to complete in the summer but if there are extended production delays this could impact the release dates of both Shang-Chi and Thor: Love & Thunder.
Shang-Chi had been given a release date of February 12th, 2021.
SOURCE: THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
