Marvel's Phase Four is set to introduce plenty of new heroes to the MCU including Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Iron Heart, and Shang-Chi. While most of the new character will debut in Disney+ series, Shang-Chi will take top billing in a blockbuster Kung Fu flick this September.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will see the titular hero take on the MCU's mysterious terrorist organization that made its debut at the very beginning in Iron Man. Years after the mystery of the Mandarin and the Ten Rings was introduced in 2013's Iron Man 3, the story will finally be continued this year.
With the release set for September, the first trailer is likely just around the corner, but for now, fans will have to settle for the repeated toy leaks that continue to reveal more about the film.
SHANG-CHI TOY LEAK REVEALS MAIN CHARACTER DESCRIPTIONS
A series of leaked images have revealed closer looks at the packaging of several Marvel Legends figures for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. As Marvel fans await the first trailer for the September blockbuster, the leaked shots offer a detailed look at the main cast, along with brief character descriptions that tease major plot points.
Shang-Chi's character description reveals the hero was “trained since childhood” in the Ten Rings terrorist group that made its debut in Iron Man. Additionally, it's teased that Simu Liu's hero will be “drawn back into his father's web,” which will likely start his crusade to take down the mysterious organization:
“Trained since childhood by the mysterious Ten Rings organization, Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn back into his father's web.”
- new shang-chi toy leaks! pic.twitter.com/gfLbHrbD5n
— ً (@SLATERMARVEL) April 9, 2021
The Marvel hero's involvement with the terrorist organization that is as old as the MCU itself stems from his father Wenwu, the “feared leader” of the group, and the true Mandarin that was first teased in Iron Man 3:
“Shang-Chi's father Wenwu is the feared leader of the Ten Rings organization, which has lurked in the shadows of the MCU since the very beginning.”
- new shang-chi toy leaks! pic.twitter.com/do1kKXCwLZ
— ً (@SLATERMARVEL) April 9, 2021
Newcomer Meng'er Zhang recently joined the project in an undisclosed role, which has been revealed in this toy leak to be Shang-Chi's sister Xialing. Simu Liu's hero is described as her “estranged brother” who “suddenly shows up” in her “solitary life” to recruit her into the “fight against the Ten Rings”:
“When her estranged brother Shang-Chi suddenly shows up in her life, Xialing must choose between the solitary life she's created for herself or join her brother in the fight against the Ten Rings.”
Lastly, the Marvel Legends figures reveal the mystery Death Dealer who is described as “one of the most formidable opponents Shang-Chi has ever faced.” It's currently unknown who will be playing the costumed antagonist, however, they will likely serve as a secondary villain to Tony Leung's Ten Rings leader.
- new shang-chi toy leaks! pic.twitter.com/sJR5MRmyrD
— ً (@SLATERMARVEL) April 9, 2021
TYING UP LOOSE ENDS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
It's extremely exciting to see Marvel dedicating a Phase Four blockbuster to finally exploring the Ten Rings in greater detail. The terrorist sect had a major influence on the entire Iron Man trilogy from Tony Stark's capture, to Trevor Slattery's fake Mandarin.
While this was a twist that proved controversial on the film's initial release, this was quickly in the All Hail the King one-shot short film that confirmed the existence of another Mandarin. Years later, fans now know this was Shang-Chi's father Wenwu who broke Trevor Slattery out of prison.
It's hard to imagine Ben Kingsley's imposter character making an appearance in the 2021 film, eight years after his last MCU appearance, but it would make for an exciting surprise for Iron Man 3 fans.
Up until now Meng'er Zhang's role in the film has been a mystery, but now it seems she will be another child of Wenwu's and Shang-Chi's sister. Given the suit shown in her action figure, it looks as if she will be getting in on the action as the sibling duo take on their evil father in a truly personal family story.
With The Mandarin and the Ten Rings being the main villain of the piece, it can be expected that Death Dealer will simply be a cool-looking secondary villain who has to be taken down along the way. Creed 2 actor Florian Munteanu has been confirmed to appear in the film and appears to fit the build for Death Dealer nicely, making him the most likely pick for the part of the confirmed cast.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings debut exclusively in theaters on September 3, 2021.
