Marvel Studio’s is quickly rolling Phase 4 of the MCU with four films and five series by the end of 2021 with some beloved superheroes and a myriad of new faces. Among them are the first Asian headliners in this standalone introductory film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Marvel has been fantastic about following trends and listening to feedback from the fans, from more female characters to including more people of color, the introduction of Asian heritage is one more step in the right direction of this rainbow of a world we find ourselves living in. I am a first generation Filipina-American and growing up, there wasn’t a whole lot of positive representation in mainstream media for the various Asian cultures. Now with children of my own that are very proud of their heritage, seeing heroes with similar skin color and features as themselves and their family is inspirational.
Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi, a valet attendant in San Francisco, who must face his past, uncover his sister Xialing’s (Meng’er Zhang) whereabouts and confront this father Wenwu aka The Mandarin (Tony Leung), leader of the Ten Rings organization which was first introduced way back in 2008’s Iron Man. The film also stars Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan and Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy who is ready to spring into action, whether she knows what she’s getting into…or not!
Blending the superhero genre and the rich history of Chinese tradition with Kung Fu at the forefront, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sets a new precedent for the style and action level in future MCU films. The sequences are as visually stunning as well as explosive, channeling both internal energy and weaponry, similar to the Vibranium powered technology we saw in Black Panther.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now available to stream on Disney+, across all major Digital platforms and now on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD. When you purchase the film, you also get access to incredible bonus material including 11 deleted scenes, interviews and a gag reel that just begs to be watched!
While we don’t know yet how Shan-Chi will be worked into future MCU stories, we absolutely see the connections to the big picture begin to grow. The untitled sequel starring Simu Liu as Shang-Chi was recently announced, so fans can look forward to another mystical adventure in the next couple of years!
In the meantime, where do you think Shan-Chi will pop up next?
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