Yahoo News Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: All you need to know
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will introduce the MCU's first Asian superhero in Phase 4, although we're facing a longer wait than expected for it to arrive.
The movie was reported in December 2018 as one being fast-tracked by Marvel, with Destin Daniel Cretton joining as director in March 2019, before Shang-Chi was officially unveiled at Comic-Con in 2019.
That announcement came with confirmation that the movie would have a very intriguing link to previous MCU movies and, in particular, one notoriously divisive twist. (More on that in a bit.)
But what can we expect from the MCU's first Asian superhero? Here's everything you need to know about Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Shang-Chi release date: When is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings released?
Originally, the movie was set to land on February 12, 2021, before being pushed back to May 7, 2021 after Black Widow was delayed from May 2020.
But since then, Black Widow has had to be shifted again and therefore the rest of Marvel's Phase 4 movies have had to move as a result. So Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will now be released on July 9, 2021 in the UK and US.
It's not all bad though as it's leapfrogged Eternals in the schedule, so now it'll be the second movie released of Phase 4.
The movie had started filming in February 2020 before production was first affected by Cretton self-isolating as a precaution, and then halted altogether in mid-March as Disney shut down production on all of its movies.
Filming was said to have restarted in early August in Australia and at least leading star Simu Liu kept himself busy during lockdown.
Shang-Chi cast: Who's in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings?
At the Comic-Con announcement, we got confirmation that Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu is taking on the lead role of Shang-Chi.
Liu's former Yappie co-star Victoria Park told Digital Spy that she can't think of anyone better for the role. "I think no one can do it better than Simu. He is just the best. I think he'll bring everything he's got to the role," she enthused.
"I'm super excited to see the movie. I know it's going to be great, and I'm excited for kids growing up to see themselves represented in that way. That's a thing I didn't have growing up, and I think it will be really powerful."
Liu is joined in the movie by Awkwafina in an undisclosed role, and it was also revealed that the movie would feature the real Mandarin after THAT Iron Man 3 twist with Tony Leung taking on the key role of the villainous leader of the Ten Rings.
Ronny Chieng and Michelle Yeoh are both reported to have joined the movie in undisclosed roles too, but we're waiting on official confirmation of their involvement.
Shang-Chi movie plot: What will it be about?
Plot details are thin on the ground so far, but the appearance of the Ten Rings could hint that the organisation will have a pivotal role to play in Phase 4.
Before the announcement, Shang-Chi co-creator Jim Starlin speculated to Digital Spy that Shang-Chi could well take on the Captain America role in the future of the MCU.
"In some ways, he could take the place of Captain America in the fact that he's the resourceful weak link," he explained.
"He doesn't have any superpowers, he's a martial artist and depending on where they go with the rest of the Marvel Universe, he may end up playing that role I could see. It's speculation, but it makes sense."
Shang-Chi movie trailer: When will it land?
With a 2021 release date, expect to see a trailer next year at some point, likely at Comic-Con.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be released on February 12, 2021.
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