A new area of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is opening up this fall. Well, two actually, as we’ll be meeting the Eternals come November. But before that, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will usher us into a martial arts-centric corner of this ever-expanding franchise, with Kim’s Convenience star Simu Liu bringing the eponymous character to life. With a little over a month to go until Shang-Chi’s release, a new video has been released teasing even more of what we can expect from the MCU’s second Phase Four movie.
To channel Bill Hader’s Stefon from Saturday Night Live, this Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings video has everything: a dragon, action and more of shirtless Simu Liu (covers mouth). See for yourself below:
If you thought Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings would be a simple martial arts joint, think again. Yes, there will be plenty of punches and kicks thrown, but this is the MCU we’re talking about! From a hand-bladed assassins trying to kill Shang-Chi aboard a moving bus to the MCU’s version of the powerful ten rings being activated to even seeing Abomination and Wong clashing in the same fighting tournament Shang-Chi is taking part in (naturally shirtless), there will be plenty of fantastical elements on display.
And then there’s that underwater dragon Shang-Chi will cross paths with in the Marvel movie, which tie-in toys have identified as the Great Protector. Needless to say we’ll have to wait until Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings comes out to learn the context behind this meeting, but one rumor that has been debunked by Simu Liu himself is that this dragon is Fin Fang Foom, a dragon-like alien who’s been a villain in the Marvel Comics universe since 1961. Whether the Great Protector is based on another dragon from Marvel lore or an entirely original character, I’m eager to see if Shang-Chi will have to fight this monstrosity or if there’s a different reason they’re coming face to face.
Following 10 years of independence, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sees Simu Liu’s character being drawn back to his old life by his father, Tony Leung’s Wenwu, a.k.a. the real Mandarin, who was first teased in the Marvel One-Shot All Hail the King. Not eager to get involved with Wenwu’s criminal enterprises for the Ten Rings terrorist organization, Shang-Chi will rebel against his father, resulting in him taking his first steps to becoming a superhero. The cast also includes Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Fala Chen, Meng'er Zhang, Florian Munteanu and Ronny Chieng. Just Mercy’s Destin Daniel Cretton directed Shang-Chi and co-wrote the script with David Callaham and Andrew Lanham.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hits theaters on September 3, so as we count down the remaining days to its release, browse through our upcoming Marvel movies guide to learn what else the MCU is sending to the big screen.
