New Marvel movie 'Shang-Chi' reportedly filming in San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- San Francisco has a new superhero among its residents and he's the "Master of Kung Fu."
Sightings of a movie filming downtown in recent days have people excited and is reportedly the latest installment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Production crews have now set up in Fisherman's Wharf.
While some residents have voiced issues about parking, those we talked with are excited.
"I'm glad that they're making movies again. I'm glad that they're bringing money to the city, desperately needs it," says Stephen Perino of San Francisco. Sources tell ABC7 News that production is expected to continue on Wednesday.
Hollywood is certainly here and buses are smashing into parked show cars in video shot by Mat Bess.
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On the same street a smaller bus, ripped apart and open in the middle, could be seen swerving all over the place on Bush Street in San Francisco -- All fake and all for the Marvel Production Hollywood Blockbuster movie.
"The director was just like on TV, had his megaphone he was like action! Ya know!" Says Bess who recorded video as the scene unfolded.
The project was titled "Steamboat," which is the rumored code name for Marvel's new movie "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings."
The movie is being filmed under strict COVID-19 protocols including social distancing and mask requirements.
Notices posted by the San Francisco Film Commission alerted the public about a feature-length project filming stunt scenes around downtown.
Residents spotted film crews Monday, along with city vehicle look-a-likes as filming equipment, including Muni buses and garbage trucks.
Tuesday, the bus seen in previous days racing around the streets was set up in front of a movie garbage truck in Fisherman's Wharf. Some that we talked with described what they saw in previous days, "They had a motorcycle that was going along the sidewalk that was filming. They had the drone, they had a car in front leading it with a camera on it. They must have had three or four angles on it for sure," says Bess.
Other sightseers are hoping for some big action, "I wonder if they're actually going to blow it up or something. I don't know, fingers crossed," says Matt Payne of San Francisco.
According to IMDB, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" is the 26th film in the Marvel universe and stars Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh and Simu Liu. Shang-Chi is a Marvel character created in the 1970's.
Shooting continues at least through Oct. 22. Film crews are required to announce their shooting locations 72 hours before for residents to prepare.
It's one of the first to resume filming in the Bay Area since the coronavirus pandemic forced productions to shut down worldwide.
"Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" has an expectant release date of July 2021.
Shang-Chi is a Marvel movie, which is owned by Disney, ABC7's parent company.
