Warning - This article contains spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
It’s been a long time coming, but Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is finally here. After having landed with positive reactions across the board, it’s now time for the world to see the film for themselves.
One of the elements that hardly made it into the film was Shang-Chi’s mom: Fala Chen’s Jiang Li. Chen isn’t in the movie for that much screen time, but what she does have is integral; to both the characters involved and the movie as a whole.
Fans get an introduction to the character at the beginning of the film, in which they see how Wenwu evolves into who he is today. What viewers don’t get, however, is any substantial elaboration on Jiang Li’s backstory outside of her husband.
What is her story?
What Is Fala Chen's Story?
The Direct was able to talk with actor Fala Chen, whose character Jiang Li made quite an impression. When viewers first see her character, she’s guarding the outskirts of Ta Lo as Wenwu arrives.
But what about before all of that? What’s her story before she meets Shang-Chi’s father?
Chen had an intriguing answer, starting out by saying “I wish I could tell you more about it,” before going on to say that “she’s spent her entire life in Ta Lo…:”
“…I wish I could tell you more about it, but I don’t think I’m allowed to… but what I can tell you is that she definitely is from Ta Lo, and she’s spent her entire life in Ta Lo prior to meeting Wenwu, and she is a fierce warrior, the protector of the village and the realm, and she… I feel like she… I can’t say that. I cannot tell you too much about it...”
Clearly, there is something Fala Chen can’t reveal, but the actor went on, saying that “she has more power than what you’ve seen…:”
“… But she’s also special [...] She’s a fierce fighter. And you got a glimpse of that, but I think she has more power than what you’ve seen so far. That’s all I can say.”
That certainly sounds like Jiang Li has a future in the MCU, despite her tragic death when Shang-Chi was young.
A future in the MCU is something that Chen is hopeful for, as the actor also jokes that, her “agents [would] love that…:”
“…My agents would love that [a future in the MCU]. I hope so. I genuinely would love to.”
Chen's Story Isn't Over
While it’s clear Fala Chen wants to be in the MCU for many more projects, it’s likely that fans will be right there with her as they watch the movie. There are plenty of unresolved questions to be had about the character as well, giving plenty of space for future stories to play around with.
While Jiang Li may have met her death when Shang-Chi was younger, she clearly had many plans already set in motion—so her return to the MCU is very likely to be set in stone.
The same can be said for Tony Leung’s Wenwu, who meets his end at the climax of the film. Despite being dead, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the character show up down the line in flashbacks at the very least.
The future of the franchise is all but guaranteed, but the details aren’t. There’s already talk about a sequel, so hopefully more of Fala Chen and her mysterious character are in store for the MCU’s future.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings can now be seen exclusively in theaters worldwide.
