When Jessica Henwick decided to take on a major role in the latest The Matrix movie, it was thought that decision came with the understanding that she wouldn't be able to be part of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It turns out the actress actually decided between Shang-Chi and another Marvel character possibly making a move to the MCU.
Jessica Henwick might be a newcomer to The Matrix franchise but she's hardly a newbie when it comes to well-known IPs both on the big and small screen. Perhaps best known as Nymeria Sand on Game of Thrones, she took on her first superhero role when she played Colleen Wing in Iron Fist and then The Defenders. While it was originally thought that the actress decided to take on the role of Bugs over that of Xialing in Shang-Chi, it turns out it was actually her love of Colleen that kept her out of an MCU movie appearance.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Henwick made it clear that she felt if she had taken the role of Xialing, it would have meant the official end to any chance that Colleen could reappear. She went on to add that when she chose to star in The Matrix Resurrections over Shang-Chi, "putting Colleen to bed" wasn't the definitive factor, but it was among the calculus.
The actress also understands that the decision she made doesn't guarantee that Colleen Wing is going to show up again in the MCU. However, considering the recent crossovers from other Netflix original shows into the relaunched MCU, it doesn't appear entirely out of the question. Matt Murdock made a brief cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, while Vincent D'Onofrio's Kingpin was shown to be the man pulling the strings in the Disney Plus series, Hawkeye.
Jessica Henwick did say she understands that not hearing anything about Colleen Wing coming back likely means that she's gone for good. She pointed to the fact that Charlie Cox was told about Daredevil coming back to the MCU years ago as one big piece of evidence that her character won't be making a return. She said that she thought if it was happening, she'd have been contacted by now.
The argument could also be made that the fact that the actress was seemingly offered the Xialing role means Marvel doesn't have plans for Colleen anytime soon. However, if it's true that The Matrix Resurrections isn't the start of another trilogy, it appears that Henwick has room on her schedule should Kevin Feige come calling.
The Matrix Resurrections is now playing in theaters and on HBO Max.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter