Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is set to introduce Simu Liu's titular Master of Kung Fu. The film is off to a great start, and the wider audience is set to experience the film for themselves in just a few days.
One thing that was really exciting for fans was learning that both Wong and Abomination were showing up in the film—something given away by the second trailer. With such a random pairing and setting, audiences were left wondering what other characters could be showing up or were considered at the very least.
With Wong, one could make the educated guess that the involvement of Benedict Cumberbatch's Doctor Strange was discussed; but alas, the Sorcerer Supreme is busy elsewhere.
The trailers have showcased that some of the movie takes place in San Francisco, particularly its bus fight sequence which was partially filmed in The Golden City. That's the very home of Ant-Man and The Wasp from the first two Ant-Man films. So was there ever a chance to witness a meeting between any of them?
SHANG-CHI, MEET ANT-MAN?
In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the set-up was there for the titular hero to meet Paul Rudd's Ant-Man or Evangeline Lilly's Wasp. But did Marvel Studios ever consider taking that route?
The Direct had the opportunity to ask that very question to Shang-Chi and Marvel Studios producer Jonathan Schwartz, who said that the creative team "did talk about other characters who might make sense, both in San Francisco and elsewhere:"
“We did talk about other characters who might make sense, both in San Francisco and elsewhere, so there are few different iterations [with] other folks who could have popped up. I think there’s always a little bit of give and take there. But you know, the script evolved over time, into what it was, and ultimately we were telling Shang’s story, so I think we’re very happy with the version that ended up on screen.”
SHANG-CHI AND ANT-MAN, THE FUTURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN
It certainly would have been a lot of fun to see an interaction between Scott, Hope, and Shang-Chi, but it makes complete sense that it never happened. After all, like Schwartz points out, the film has a lot on its plate already.
Introducing a brand-new hero in his own origin film isn't an easy feat, especially after something like Avengers: Endgame. Fans should probably consider themselves lucky that even Abomination and Wong were able to show up.
Simu Liu, the actor behind Shang-Chi, has been pretty vocal recently about those that he'd love to see his character interact with—so interactions between him and more named characters seem likely sooner rather than later. One of the many interactions that Liu wants to see adapted is one involving Spider-Man, something that Tom Holland would probably love just as much as him.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings releases on September 3.
