With all the multiverse hype that’s been going on lately in the MCU, fans are anxiously awaiting films like Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and season 2 of Loki. However, there are a lot of other projects that are set to be released before the heroes’ journey in multiversal war continues. One such project is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which hasn’t been getting as much attention as it deserves.
Shang-Chi is less than a month away from its theatrical release. MCU fans may be more focused on what future projects will do to build on what has been established in previous stories, but Shang-Chi seems like it will be a fitting first entry into the Marvel canon. With a great cast, an intriguing story, and a reinvented villain, there are plenty of reasons to get excited.
The Mandarin
The Mandarin has been a threatening presence lurking in the shadows of the MCU for over a decade now, ever since the release of the Iron Man movies. Fans are finally getting to see the real story behind The Mandarin in Shang-Chi and perhaps this will provide some closure about the events of Iron Man 3.
Now that Tony Stark, the man who brought Marvel to life on the big screen, is gone, putting the final pieces of his story together in Shang-Chi will complete his Iron Man story and help connect the new characters to the original Phase 1. The fake Mandarin in the Iron Man films wasn’t at all who fans expected him to be, and Shang-Chi will at long last show The Mandarin as the highly complex character he truly is.
Asian Representation
Marvel fans know that Simu Liu will be the star of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and the trailers have shown him to be the perfect choice to play the new hero. Liu was born in China and will be the first actor of Asian descent to have a leading role in a major Marvel movie.
The MCU has cast other Asian actors in smaller background roles in previous projects, such as Benedict Wong and Randall Park for the characters of Wong and Jimmy Woo, respectively. Now that Liu is portraying Shang-Chi, the MCU’s Asian characters will finally have their well-deserved time in the spotlight.
Wong
Even though Wong had a smaller part in Doctor Strange and other Avengers films, there’s a chance that Shang-Chi will give him his time to shine. Wong will be making an appearance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings alongside the new hero to help him defeat villains like Abomination.
Other than the fact that Wong keeps ancient secrets in the Kamar-Taj library and listens to Beyonce from time to time, the MCU hasn’t given much of an insight into his past, or his powers. His presence in Shang-Chi might provide viewers with some more backstory and give him a bigger character arc.
Awkwafina
Awkwafina has become a big name in popular media over the last few years and has participated in major movies such as Ocean’s 8 and Crazy Rich Asians. She’s won many awards, including a Golden Globe for best actress, and will undoubtedly bring the same level of talent and charm to the Shang-Chi film. Taking part in a Marvel movie is a great opportunity for any actor, and fans of Awkwafina should be excited to see her tackle her new role as Katy.
Kung-Fu Action
Shang-Chi has been trained in martial arts since he was a child, meaning that the movie will include a lot of epic action scenes where he gets to show off his kung-fu skills. The trailers have shown numerous shots of Shang-Chi battling his enemies in ways that are unlike anything Marvel heroes have done in the past, so Shang-Chi will definitely bring a new fighting style to the franchise. Additionally, the film drew inspiration from other kung-fu films to enhance all of the fight sequences.
Giant Monsters
Throughout the Shang-Chi trailers Marvel has released, there have been brief glimpses of huge beasts that are wreaking havoc wherever they go. One beast looks very similar to a giant lion, swatting warriors like flies on a battlefield, while the other is a dragon-like serpent prowling beneath the water.
The depictions of these beings mirror Chinese legends about similar creatures and it appears to be another way that the MCU is finally paying homage to Asian culture. The presence of these monsters will surely make for some interesting conflict, as well.
Family Drama
Family drama has been a major driving force behind popular MCU characters like Loki and Natasha Romanoff in the new Black Widow movie. The Shang-Chi trailers have made it obvious that Liu’s character will also have to tackle his complicated relationships with his family and his past if he wants to become a true hero.
The main conflict appears to be between Shang-Chi and his father, The Mandarin, which will undoubtedly result in a major kung-fu battle between the two as they struggle to obtain the ten rings. Family feuds have proven to be a compelling storyline that keeps fans entertained in the past, so hopefully the same recipe will work for Shang-Chi.