Why Jessica Henwick turned down Shang-Chi in favor of The Matrix Resurrections

The Matrix Resurrections has now been released and audiences have been thrust back into the Matrix once again. In addition to returning stars like Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, the film also introduces us to Bugs, a blue-haired gunslinger played by Jessica Henwick. Getting to take part in a giant blockbuster doesn’t come along every day, but Jessica Henwick actually had to make a tough choice between starring in The Matrix Resurrections or Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Jessica Henwick has previously described having to choose between Shang-Chi and The Matrix Resurrections as her own red pill/blue pill moment, and she recently explained her choice while speaking with THR. Henwick had auditioned for both projects and reached the point where they wanted her to either screen-test with Simu Liu for Shang-Chi or chemistry read for Matrix. She wound up choosing The Matrix Resurrections partly because taking a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe might officially close the book on any chance she could return as Iron Fist‘s Colleen Wing down the road.

That definitely did come up in the discussion. If I did [Shang-Chi], I would effectively be putting Colleen to bed. It wasn’t the main factor, but it definitely came up in conversation. I love Colleen. She changed my life. Of course, if I was given the opportunity to revisit her, I would, but I just don’t know how likely that is. Charlie knew about that opportunity years ago. He already knew it was happening. I think I would have heard by now if there were any plans with Colleen.

As we’ve seen a few actors from the Marvel Netflix series bring their characters into the MCU, it’s not outside the realm of possibility that Colleen Wing could make the leap as well. Wing was an alley of Danny Rand (Finn Jones) in Iron Fist, and although the series didn’t receive the best reviews, Jessica Henwick’s work was always praised. The final episode found Wing taking on the power of the Iron Fist and some fans hope she could become the MCU’s Iron Fist. “That would be cool!” Henwick said. “If it was the right moment, the right project, for sure. I love Colleen. But we’ll see. I gave her a happy ending. She’s happily living in New York with Misty [Simone Missick]. They’re running their own business together. So she’s good where she is as well.“

The Matrix Resurrections is now playing in theaters and streaming on HBO Max, so be sure to check out a review from our own JimmyO.