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Why Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings means so much to fans and the MCU

Photo credit: Marvel
Photo credit: Marvel

From Digital Spy

Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe marks a drastic departure from the three previous phases that came before.

For one, there are no group Avengers movies. More importantly, there is a wealth of new, diverse stories being told, all of which have their foundation in the comics loved by generations.

There's the first-ever explicitly out LGBTQ+ character, there's a female Thor, and Phase Four is bringing many new faces to the big screen. In particular, fans are very excited for Shang-Chi.

Shang-Chi, aka the Master of Kung-Fu, first appeared in Special Marvel Edition number 15, cover-dated December 1973 and created by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin (the man who made Thanos).

San Diego Comic-Con's Hall H panel was where the movie was announced, and also where Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience) was confirmed to play the titular superhero.

Photo credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez - Getty Images
Photo credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez - Getty Images

Liu himself campaigned on social media for Marvel to adapt the comic, and with accurate representation. Now that Marvel has taken this comic on, many are rejoicing over the positive step.

Marvel hasn't always made the best decisions when it comes to representation. In Iron Man 3, the Mandarin turned out to be a fake played by Ben Kingsley, of all people (ie a British actor of Indian heritage). Shang-Chi, instead, has cast Hong Kong action movie legend Tony Leung as the Mandarin.

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

The inclusion of the Mandarin in Shang-Chi heavily implies the proper introduction of Marvel terrorist syndicate the Ten Rings into the MCU. Not to mention the full title is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Awkwafina (Crazy Rich Asians, The Little Mermaid) has also been cast in an unnamed role. Chinese-American writer Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984) will pen the screenplay. Behind the camera is Destin Daniel Cretton.

Photo credit: Rich Fury - Getty Images
Photo credit: Rich Fury - Getty Images

Shang-Chi, fairly or not, has a lot riding on his shoulders.

A perfect example of this same kind of pressure placed unduly on minority and female-led projects is The Joy Luck Club from 1993.

Despite its positive reception from critics, there wasn't another film featuring a majority Asian-American cast until 2019, with Crazy Rich Asians (an undeniable success). In part, according to Slate's Inkoo Kang, it was because "the burden of representation thrust upon the film proved impossible to bear."

Whether they want to or not, then, Marvel has a responsibility to do right by the movie and by the fans who are rightly invested and excited by the chance to see themselves on the big screen in a superhero movie.

If done well, with the kind of casting and development Marvel has committed to, Shang-Chi could prove a pivotal moment for Marvel. If done poorly, fans will undoubtedly be vocal about their disappointment.

Shang-Chi is also a different kind of superhero, as Jim Starlin explained to Digital Spy ahead of the Comic-Con announcement, which could prove fruitful for the character.

"In some ways, he could take the place of Captain America in the fact that he's the resourceful weak link," Starlin said.

"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 and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be released on February 12, 2021.


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