WARNING: This article contains minor spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
More than ten months after completing filming, the MCU is ready for its next theatrical addition with Simu Liu's Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. With new information and teases releasing to the public seemingly by the day during the press rounds, fans are ready to dive into the story for Marvel's first new solo hero of Phase 4.
Early reviews have vaulted Shang-Chi into the top tier of MCU excellence, praising the impeccable action sequences along with Liu's rising star power and so much more. Additionally, Marvel Studios decided to shock the world by including Tim Roth's Abomination from The Incredible Hulk and She-Hulk along with Benedict Wong's Wong from Doctor Strange, tying the movie back to its MCU roots.
While it's certainly exciting to see two unexpected characters find their way into Shang-Chi's origin story, there are still no signs pointing to how they'll work into the film apart from the underground fight club.
In the waning moments before the movie's Thursday night showings, Marvel teased another spoiler-y part of that story in a new TV spot.
Shang-Chi in the Sanctum Sanctorum?
Marvel Studios released a new TV spot for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings which teased new action for both Wong and the Abomination.
In the middle of the spot, Wong can be seen using his sling ring to open a portal to an unknown location with the Abomination looking at him intently. This could possibly be the Sanctum Sanctorum, although it's unclear where the two would be headed together.
Wong also opens another portal near a crowd of people after two quick shots show Awkwafina's Katy and Simu Liu's Shang-Chi looking on in disbelief. They appear to be in a location similar to where the portal is, meaning the Kamar-Taj librarian could be looking to bring the Master of the Mystic Arts a new mission.
That portal appears to lead directly to somewhere with multiple large racks of books, presumably the library which Wong guards at Kamar-Taj.
An Early MCU Crossover in Phase 4
When Wong and the Abomination first appeared in the second trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, it was unclear how expansive their roles would be in the Phase 4 story. Rumors pointed to this movie setting up Abomination's next run in 2022's She-Hulk, while Wong is already in line for a small role in Spider-Man: No Way Home and a more prominent one in 2022's Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Wong has also made other appearances in promotional trailers for Shang-Chi over the past few weeks, leading fans to believe his role may be more than just a cameo from another MCU franchise. It's still a mystery how much input Wong will have in the titular hero's journey and fight against his father, the Mandarin, but having a Master of the Mystic Arts on his side can only be an advantage.
Regardless of how these two supporting characters make their impact be felt, the hype is building quickly to get the full-blown Marvel Studios experience with the franchise's latest origin story. Even as powerful as Shang-Chi already is, there's always room for more super-powered backup in this ever-changing world.
The full promo can be watched below:
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will release in theaters on September 3.
