After months of heavy rumors, Marvel Studios confirmed at San Diego Comic-Con that they would be making their first Asian-led flick with Shang-Chi . Marvel has spent the past phases diversifying their universe, introducing characters like Black Panther and Captain Marvel with their own solo flicks that would prove to be box office juggernauts.
While months of rumors made the announcement somewhat expected, the subtitle got fans buzzing: The Legend of the Ten Rings. Fans will recognize the Ten Rings as a terrorist organization from the Iron Man trilogy , with comic book roots that take a deep dive into the mystical.
The titular character's actor Simu Liu has already won over the hearts of fans after a 2014 tweet surfaced , revealing his desire to see an Asian-American superhero. Shang-Chi may be a lesser known character from the comics, but plot details and casting announcements alike have surged the Master of Kung-Fu's debut installment to the top of most-anticipated lists.
NEWS
Some of Shang-Chi's first set footage has surfaced online. Per @charlesbassf on Twitter , new set footage from Sydney, Australia (filmed before COVID-19 shut down production) showcases Simu Liu's Shang-Chi and Awkwafina's unknown character arriving as what is speculated to be a "night club/hidden corporation facility."
WHAT THIS MEANS
There is not a ton to take away from this set footage, as there are no crazy action setpieces or major plot reveals, but one intriguing tidbit is this mysterious facility. While it is speculated that it could be just a Chinese night club, the fact that the titular hero is making an appearance could mean trouble awaits inside. After all, this wouldn't be the first time an Asian night club led to a major violent confrontation in the MCU .
Another noteworthy aspect is Simu Liu and Awkwafina's characters' attires. Donning street clothes has become an MCU staple when Avengers go undercover, and while that might be the case for Shang-Chi here, it could also be because he has not yet developed his power. As far as plot goes, nothing has been confirmed as to how skilled the eventual Master of Kung-Fu will be at the start of this film, so this attire could indicate he is still an adolescent in terms of his abilities.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is slated to hit theaters on its new release date of May 7, 2021.
MCU Writer, Editor, Podcaster
