Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is estimated to make a $50 million debut as Disney also gets rid of the hybrid release format. The hybrid model is the new format that has been happening for certain movie releases amid the COVID-19 pandemic in which films are available in theaters and on a given streaming platform simultaneously. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be a theatrical exclusive for 45 days before switching to a digital format.
Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut of the legendary hero from the comics. He's known for his exceptional combat ability in martial arts as well as the ability to channel his inner aura or chi to enhance his combat abilities.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be Marvel Studios' first movie since 2019's Spider-Man: Far From Home to be an exclusive theatrical debut. Black Widow was released both in theaters and on the Disney Plus streaming service, which has prompted the lawsuit between Scarlett Johansson and Disney due to her losing money on the backend deals. Variety reports Shang-Chi is projected to earn anywhere between $45 million and $55 million in its first three days of release, although some estimates suggest the Marvel Studios flick could hit $60 million in that same period. If true, Shang-Chi would shatter the record of the current Labour Day weekend box office king Halloween (2007), which opened with $30.6 million. Reportedly, Shang-Chi's box office results over its debut weekend could determine how Disney plans to release its upcoming films amid the current surge of COVID-19 cases.
With Shang-Chi starting exclusively as a theatrical release, this may add more fuel to the fire of the Johansson lawsuit against Disney. Fans and studios alike will have to wait to see how this movie performs in order to see if the exclusive release format is worth doing amidst a potential incoming lockdown. With that being said, there are still numerous factors that can affect the money, so a lot is riding on Shang-Chi's release.
Shang-Chi is also set to debut the MCU's first look at the ten rings, which are ancient artifacts that give the user immense powers. Nothing like the infinity gauntlet, but still something that if in the wrong hands can cause catastrophic problems. The movie will also introduce the Mandarin, who made his debut in Iron Man 3 before being exposed as a fraud. The real Mandarin didn't take kindly to the imposter and will be making his first 'real' appearance in The Legend of the Ten Rings.
Shang-Chi will be the next of Marvel Studios' many properties to go from being less than known to gaining a worldwide fanbase. Marvel Studios has turned the Guardians of the Galaxy, Iron Man, Captain America, and Captain Marvel from being underutilized heroes to A-tier popular characters.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be in theaters on September 3, 2021.
Source: Variety