After a surprise trailer drop on actor Simu Liu’s birthday, Marvel Studios has now offered fans the first proper look at a new batch of toys for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Liu first displayed some of them on his Instagram story, after receiving a box full of upcoming Shang-Chi merchandise on his birthday. But, Marvel later revealed the entire collection, created by Hasbro, Funko, and LEGO.
Earlier this month, fans got to see a glimpse of the film’s Marvel Legends merchandise when the images leaked online. Created by Hasbro, the toys include 6-inch figures of Shang-Chi, Wenwu, Xialing, and Death Dealer, while some other products are catered to younger children. But, what has fans most excited are two items that feature the mysterious Ten Rings, including one Ten Rings blaster.
In the Marvel comics, the Ten Rings were powerful pieces of technology that were discovered by the Mandarin and then worn on his fingers. Each ring was said to hold the soul of a legendary cosmic warrior and possess a unique ability that the Mandarin seems to master over time. However, as the toys and the first Shang-Chi trailer revealed, the rings are much bigger in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and worn by Wenwu on his arms. In the trailer, fans noticed how the rings had a blue glow, and the toys seem to capture the same energy. However, at this point, it is unclear whether they possess the same powers as their counterpart in the comics.
Apart from Hasbro’s collection, the official Funko Pop figures for the film were also revealed. Fans should soon be able to get their hands on a Funko of Shang-Chi, Wenwu, Xialing, Death Dealer, Jiang Li, Razor Fist, and Katy, in addition to key chains. An official LEGO set titled “Escape from The Ten Rings” is also coming soon, which will include tiny LEGO figures of some of the main characters from the movie. In February, an image of another LEGO set titled “Battle at the Ancient Village” had leaked online, which offered fans the first glimpse at Shang-Chi’s costume in the MCU.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, is expected to release in theaters in September 2021. It was previously scheduled for a July 9 release, but in a calendar shuffle done by Walt Disney, Shang-Chi's premiere was recently pushed back, with Marvel’s Black Widow taking over its release date of July 9.
Shang-Chi will see the introduction of the first Asian superhero into the MCU, played by Liu, and finds him confronting the infamous Ten Rings terrorist group. Apart from Liu, the film will see Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Jiang Nan, and Meng'er Zhang in major roles.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings arrives in theaters on September 3, 2021.
Source: Marvel Entertainment