In the last few years there has been a ton of conversation about the power of representation in Hollywood. That include Asian representation, and there have been some major steps forward thanks to a number of acclaimed projects like Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere all at Once, and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (the latter of which is streaming with a Disney+ subscription). But Simu Liu recently called out the "hate campaign" that can often come when an Asian actor ends up finding fame. Let's break it all down.

Liu has been open about how Shang-Chi was a big deal for representation, and his career has been thriving ever since. But the 37-year-old actor recently took to Threads to speak about a trend involving actors of color getting hate after their big break. In his words:

After referencing lies and that came his way after booking the title role of Shang-Chi, Simu Liu got honest about a pattern he's feels he sees over and over again with actors of color in Hollywood. He's not the only actor to speak out about how the internet can indeed be "insane," and it sounds like he's seeing the source of his trauma repeated for other actors.

While he didn't name names in his Threads post, many fans think that Liu is referencing the recent controversy surrounding Heated Rivalry star Hudson Williams. The show was wildly popular for those with a HBO Max subscription, and catapulted Williams and Connor Storrie into megafame.

Recently though, he's been the subject of backlash thanks to a photo from his teen years that resurfaced showing him with a swastika drawn by someone on his head. This was apparently during an event in High School where other students drew on him. Sources maintain he "deeply regrets" the event, as well as the photos finding their way online.

Of course, we've seen the Internet come at a number of Asian actors. For instance, Star Wars actress Kelly Marie Tran faced intense racist backlash after debuting in The Last Jedi, resulting in her leaving social media and going into therapy simply for being cast. That's not counting other actors of color who have faced similar hate online after achieving career success.

Simu Liu will (finally given that sequel talk) reprise his role as Shang-Chi in Avengers: Doomsday, which hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. As for Hudson Williams, we'll have to see if his career is negatively affected by this new controversy.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe consistently puts out new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription, to the delight of their fans. There are a number of upcoming Marvel movies on the way, with arguably the most highly anticipated being Avengers: Doomsday. The Doomsday cast announcement confirmed Simu Liu was finally returning as Shang-Chi, and he recently shared how the hero will be different when he pops back up on the big screen.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is super limited, with fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order filling in the blanks with theories and rumors. While speaking with ComicBook, Liu spoke about what Shang-Chi's second big screen adventure will be like, teasing:

Honestly, I'm sold. It looks like we'll be getting an older and wiser version of Liu's hero in Doomsday, one that feels more confident his abilities as a superhero. While he'll be seemingly interacting with entire teams of heroes like the Avengers and X-Men, he seemingly won't be as much of a fish out of water this time around. And I can't wait to see how it goes down when The Russo Brothers' blockbuster hits theaters in December.

The Kim's Convenience actor was careful not to reveal too much, but this forthcoming change to Shang-Chi sounds like a great direction for the character to go. Later in the same interview, Liu addressed his Doomsday comments, which revealed he'll be getting a new costume in the project. He addressed how viral that statement went, offering:

Looks like some lessons were learned. While Tom Holland is known for revealing spoilers, Liu saw firsthand how one off-hand comment can make the rounds online. So he's seemingly going to stay tight-lipped as the promotion for Avengers: Doomsday picks up.

There were rumors that Shang-Chi will be a major player in the next Avengers movie, and I'm curious to see if that turns out to be true, and what he might get into when the battle against Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom picks up.

All will be revealed when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th as part of the 2026 movie release list. Although first we'll be treated to Spider-Man: Brand New Day on July 31st.

Marvel Studios is currently working on its latest big-screen superhero team-up film, Avengers: Doomsday, which will pit the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and more against Doctor Doom. As can be expected, those involved with the film have remained relatively tight-lipped about plot details. However, Simu Liu – who’s reprising his role as Shang-Chi in the film – has shared a few details about his experience making the movie. Liu most recently shared one key element that was different for him compared to his first Marvel movie.

There are plenty of commonalities when it comes to Marvel Cinematic Universe movie sets. In most cases, there are a lot of actors and crew members present, and many blue and green screens are usually around as well. Said details didn’t come up when Simu Liu was asked about what it was like working on Doomsday during his interview with Empire State Building (which was shared to TikTok). What he did mention was that there was a notable change made that was very specific to his character:

Anyone who’s faithfully watched the Marvel movies surely knows it’s not uncommon for the heroes to receive new outfits as films go on. I’m personally excited to get the confirmation that Shang-Chi will be sporting new duds when he makes his return to the big screen. At the same time, though, considering how complex those costumes can be from a logistical standpoint, I can understand why Liu initially had some trouble adjusting. Yet it sounds like the star still appreciated the experience:

Simu Liu has shared some some sweet behind-the-scenes details about his time on the set of this latest Avengers movie, which is directed by Joe and Anthony Russo. Over the past few months, Liu’s been honest about being starstruck by other Doomsday cast members, including legendary X-Men actors like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen. Liu, of course, also encountered Doctor Doom actor Robert Downey Jr., and the day they met was apparently mortifying for the former, who was unprepared.

Any kind of embarrassing moments aside, it feels like the Barbie star enjoyed his time working on the upcoming superhero movie, and his MCU return has been a long time coming. It’s honestly hard to believe it’s already been over four years since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hit theaters and ushered the master martial artist into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Lui has seemingly been waiting in the wings for his opportunity to play his character once more. At the same time, he’s also still fielding questions about a Shang-Chi sequel, which is still reportedly in the works.

For now, though, I’m just excited to see Simu Liu back in action in Avengers: Doomsday, and I’m eager to see how his new costume differs from the one he previously wore. Check out Shang-Chi's return when the MCU team-up flick opens in theaters on December 18 as part of the 2026 movie schedule. In the meantime, stream the character’s franchise debut and appearances in animated shows using a Disney+ subscription.

Simu Liu knows precisely what you want to talk about when you spot him in the wild, and spoiler alert: it’s not Barbie (though Barbie was a banger). Four years after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (available with a Disney+ subscription) hit theaters and became an instant fan favorite, the character has been completely MIA from the slate of new Marvel films. No sequel, no cameos, no Ten Rings popping up in mid-credits stingers. And now the man behind the MCU martial artist is finally opening up about how often fans ask him about a Shang-Chi 2.

In a new interview with People, Liu opens up about what it feels like to step back into a new entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, while his fan-favorite solo hero has been completely missing from the franchise for the past four years. The 36-year-old star revealed just how often passersby bring up the absence of his character:

That emotional connection with the character and the fans is precisely why the missing sequel has become a running bit in the Kim’s Convenience star’s real life. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hit theaters in 2021, delivered one of Marvel’s best-reviewed origin stories of the post-Endgame era, and then… nothing. No sequel announcement, and the actor knows fans feel that gap because they remind him daily.

That’s not social media noise; it’s his day-to-day, becoming a kind of ambient soundtrack. And yet, he’s clearly not resentful. If anything, he frames it as proof that the first movie landed the way he always hoped: as a film that meant something to audiences who had never seen a Chinese superhero in a massive Disney tentpole before.

But fans won’t have to wait much longer to finally see Shang-Chi back in action, with Liu putting the rings back on in Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel’s next mega–team-up now scheduled for the 2026 movie schedule. The movie is basically a victory lap for the MCU’s deep bench of heroes. The cast for Doomsday includes the likes of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor, Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Paul Rudd’s Ant-Man, Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, Letitia Wright’s Black Panther, Danny Ramirez’s Falcon, plus characters from Fantastic Four, Thunderbolts, and the X-Men movies. Oh, and Robert Downey Jr. is back — not as Tony Stark, but as Victor von Doom, the main villain.

If you were worried that the Shang-Chi family had quietly drifted apart in the years since, Liu is happy to shut that down. He reveals that the core cast — Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Fala Chen, and more — are still very connected, adding:

As we wait for Simu Liu to suit up once again, he isn’t exactly sitting around waiting for Kevin Feige to text. The actor has a new animated film, hitting streaming for everyone with a Netflix subscription. In Your Dreams sees the Chinese-Canadian performer voicing a dad opposite Cristin Milioti and Craig Robinson. It’s lighter, family-friendly fare, but even there, the shadow of Shang-Chi isn’t far behind. Every new project comes with at least one question about when he’s putting the rings back on for a solo act.

Avengers: Doomsday, the next cinematic outing for Shang-Chi, hits theaters on December 18, 2026.

Simu Liu is finally set to reprise his role as Shang-Chi in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film, as he’ll play the martial arts master in the upcoming culmination film Avengers: Doomsday. This marks a major milestone for Liu, given it’ll be the first time his character will be part of an MCU team-up flick. As exciting as it’ll be to see Liu alongside other franchise veterans, there’s still the matter of how long he’ll remain with the franchise moving forward. On that note, Liu is now weighing in on his future with the MCU.

How Does Simu Liu About His MCU Future Post-Doomsday?

Marvel Studios is known for signing its stars to long contracts and also making deals with them to make appearances beyond that. (Just ask Robert Downey Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson.) Thus far, Simu Liu has only appeared in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and an episode of the animated series What If…? I personally think there are a number of other stories to tell about the Mandarin’s wayward son. With that, Liu’s sentiments on his working relationship with Marvel make me happy:

Like so many people, Liu is a fan of the MCU, and his admiration for the continuity predated him tagging Marvel Studios on social media and asking them to meet with him about the Master of Kung Fu. Comments Liu has shared over the years suggest that he’s quite grateful for his position within the Disney-owned superhero IP. Just recently, he spoke highly of his experience working on Doomsday, which allowed him to share scenes with actors he’s long admired. The In Your Dreams star expanded on that while speaking with ComicBook:

Simu Liu went on to explain that his goal is to just take his MCU work a step at a time. And, with that, he’s hoping it’ll have a very specific effect on others:

These are very level-headed and sweet sentiments, and I particularly love to hear that the Atlas actor wants to work in a way that inspires others to want to follow suit. It’s also great that he’s apparently down to play Shang-Chi for the long haul. However, I’m still wondering what could actually lie ahead for the character following this latest Avengers movie.

What’s Going On With The Shang-Chi Sequel?

As great as it is that Shang Chi is returning in Avengers: Doomsday, I – like so many fans – have been waiting for the character to receive another solo film. Marvel Studios has yet to formally announce a sequel, but Simu Liu himself has stressed on multiple occasions that the film will be made. However, that’s seemingly proving to be easier said than done. For starters, director Destin Daniel Cretton has been busy with other projects and, at this time, he’s helming another MCU flick, Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

It seemed earlier this year that Liu was also seeking answers based on the fact that he like a social media post about Marvel supposedly doing him “dirty” by not making a sequel a few years back. Liu also seemed to throw some subtle shade at the wait time for his own film when the sequel to this year’s Superman was announced a few months ago.

Still, it seems Simu Liu is remaining optimistic about Shang-Chi 2, and so am I. And, at the very least, it’s comforting to know Liu is dedicated to playing the character for as long as he can. See Liu’s MCU alter ego make his big-screen return in Avengers: Doomsday, which opens in theaters on December 18 and, in the meantime, stream his other appearances in the cinematic universe using a Disney+ subscription.

When it comes to Marvel’s upcoming movies, my anticipation is definitely the highest for the release of Avengers: Doomsday. It promises to bring together an elite cast of MCU characters and X-Men, and it will be the first Avengers movie we’ve gotten since Endgame came out in 2019. Now, Simu Liu’s comments about who he’s “maybe” gotten to work with and the film being worth the wait and cost of admission have me even more hyped for this team-up movie.

Simu Liu was asked about getting the call to join the Avengers: Doomsday cast at New York Comic Con (via hey__arthur’s TikTok), and at first he joked that it was “about god damn time” it happened. He then went into a sincere answer about how much it meant to him to continue Shang-Chi’s journey in the MCU, explaining:

The cast really is next level. That’s in part thanks to the X-Men actors who will be stepping back into their roles. We know we’ll get to see Ian McKellen, Patrick Stewart, Alan Cumming, James Marsden and Rebecca Romijn reprise their characters from the X-Men movies. That fact seriously excited the Shang-Chi actor, too, as he explained:

Now, not only did he not confirm or deny anything here, he added a whole lot of extra maybes to really hammer the point home. It reminds me of the time Andrew Garfield lied about being in Spider-Man: No Way Home, if you know what I mean. And it’s got me thinking that maybe, just maybe, Simu Liu might share some scenes in Doomsday with the X-Men.

However, that’s not confirmed, and we’ll have to wait for the project’s December 18 release on the 2026 movie schedule to really, truly find out. However, it sounds like that wait will be worth it.

After gushing about actors like McKellen and Stewart, the Barbie actor explained that working with the Doomsday cast felt like “turning on your TV on a Saturday morning” and being “in a playground.” That was because he was working alongside people he grew up watching, and they were all “wearing spandex” and playing “make believe” alongside him.

That alone has me more than willing to pay the price of admission to see what the Russo Brothers have cooked up. However, Liu made sure to end his conversation about this new movie by reassuring fans that both the wait for this film and the cost of admission to see it will be well worth it. He said:

Considering the consistent excitement Liu has shown about Doomsday and how elated he is to be part of this cast, I was already sat. Like him, it’s hard to believe this stacked ensemble will really be in one movie together.

However, hearing him potentially tease who he might share scenes with and verify that Doomsday will 100% be worth the cost of a movie ticket, my hype for it has somehow grown even bigger.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, thanks to new releases hitting theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have seen the peaks and valleys of the post-Endgame MCU. A high point was was Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, although there's been no news about its planned sequel. And after James Gunn revealed Superman's sequel Man of Tomorrow was already on the way, Shang-Chi actor Simu Liu seemingly threw some shade at Marvel.

Fans have waited years to see Liu return in upcoming Marvel movies, which will finally happen next year as he's part of the Avengers: Doomsday cast. Unfortunately, there's been no news about Shang-Chi 2, despite Liu's continued passion for the sequel. Recently a fan on Twitter shared excitement for Superman's sequel, posting:

I mean, points were made. Even if superhero sequel are green lit, it usually takes years of development, writing and (eventually shooting). DC co-CEO James Gunn confirmed Superman: Man of Tomorrow's script is already done, and it's been given a release date. The above comment prompted Simu Liu to share his own emoji reaction to the news, check it out below:

I mean, can you blame him? While Liu is finally getting to suit back up as Shang-Chi in Doomsday, seeing how fast superhero sequels can come together must be maddening for the 36 year-old actor. So why can't his burgeoning franchise get the same treatment? After all, Simu Liu has been keeping in superhero shape for years.

What we know about Shang-Chi 2 is basically nothing, as Kevin Feige and the powers that be at Marvel have been busy with other projects. While director Destin Daniel Cretton is expected to return, the studio is first going to use his talents on Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is filming now.

With his emoji Liu once again showed how frustrated he is with the lack of progress on Shang-Chi 2. While the studio still wants to keep the actor on as his signature character in projects like Doomsday, it doesn't appear that his first sequel is a huge priority at the moment. Hopefully that'll change sooner rather than later.

This lack of forward movement is also frustrating for fans, especially those who want some answers after Shang-Chi's credits scene. In it we saw Wong appear and bring the title character into a meeting with Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner after the Ten Rings were working as a homing beacon for an unknown entity. Does this make him an Avenger? Only time will tell.

Liu will return to his signature role when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters on December 18th of next year as part of the 2026 movie release list. Maybe seeing Shang-Chi back on the big screen will inspire the studio to make some real progress with his sequel.

The Black Panther mythology is expanding, thanks to a new animated anthology series, Eyes of Wakanda. A prequel to the Ryan Coogler-helmed Marvel Cinematic Universe film series, the four-episode miniseries centers on brave warriors who seek to recover Wakandan artifacts scattered across the globe. It’s a beautifully animated and well-written show that not only ties into BP lore beautifully but also stands firmly on its own. With that, I’d now love to see another MCU franchise receive a similar kind of production.

Which MCU Franchise Deserves An Animated Offshoot Like Eyes Of Wakanda And Why?

Although there are plenty of superhero-based franchises within the MCU, I’d argue that there are only a handful that have truly established distinct lore that’s worth excavating. One of those is the Shang-Chi property, which kicked off with 2021’s The Legend of the Ten Rings. That story squarely focuses on the eponymous kung fu savant and his attempts to confront his past. However, director Destin Daniel Cretton and co. also managed to introduce some other cool characters and developments into the narrative.

Marvel Studios’ first film to feature a predominantly Asian cast thrusts viewers into the history of the Ten Rings organization, which is led by the immortal, ten ring-wielding Wenwu a.k.a. The Mandarin. An animated limited series could center on Wenwu’s exploits, which span a thousand years. Writers could also theoretically dig deeper into Ta Lo, the mystical dimension that Shang-Chi’s late mother helped safeguard against outsiders. Surely, there are wondrous tales that can be told about that visually stunning land and its inhabitants.

All in all, what I’m saying is that this is a culturally rich IP we have here, and a beautifully animated show would be a great way to expand upon it. Not only that, but the corporate pieces could be in place for it to happen. Cretton now seems to be very tight with the creatives at Marvel, given he’s directing Spider-Man: Brand New Day and is a producer on Wonder Man, which hits the 2025 TV schedule later this year. Still, given the current state of his martial arts franchise, a show may just be a pipe dream.

What’s Going On With The Shang-Chi Franchise?

There’s been a lot of speculation about the next chapter in the Simu Liu-led MCU franchise. It’s long been known that a Shang-Chi sequel is in the works, but work on that has seemingly been slow. While the titular character headlined a 2024 episode of the animated series What If…? internet users have commented on his lack of visibility since his solo film. Liu has been shutting down rumors regarding the sequel being canceled, but I, along with other fans, remain anxious for more concrete updates.

Something that is known is that while Cretton oversees Tom Holland’s fourth Spider-Man movie, Simu Liu is reprising his superhero role in another project. Liu will play the character again in the upcoming team-up film Avengers: Doomsday alongside a number of other power players in the cinematic universe.

Despite that, the Shang-Chi franchise has been without a new installment for far too long. So, even if it doesn’t continue right away in the form of another live-action film, why not greenlight an animated prequel series to whet fans’ appetites? After all, Eyes of Wakanda does also serve as a nice bit of storytelling to tide viewers over ahead of the now-in-development Black Panther 3. It may be foolish to do so, but I’ll be holding onto hope that Marvel expands upon the lore of its resident martial artist using an awesome cartoon.

In the meantime, stream all episodes of Eyes of Wakanda and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as well as other MCU movies and TV shows using a Disney+ subscription.

After being forced to sit out 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Marvel Studios returned in a big way in 2021 by not only kicking off its run of Disney+ subscription-exclusive MCU TV shows, but also releasing four movies. The second of those movies was Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, starring Simu Liu as the titular character. I certainly found Shang-Chi’s origin story to be an enjoyable watch, but four years after its release, an internet user made a comment about him that I’ve also been wondering about.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was both a critical and commercial success for Marvel, so there’s no question that this was one of the stronger debuts for an MCU character, especially post-Phase 3. And yet, as X user @brookstweetz so astutely put it:

Now to be fair, that’s not entirely accurate, as Simu Liu did vocally reprise Shang-Chi in two episodes of What If… ? Season 3, and he’ll also be heard in Marvel Zombies on the 2025 TV schedule this October. But as far as the main MCU reality goes, i.e. the Sacred Timeline, yeah, I agree it is weird that the skilled martial artist and inheritor of the mystical ten rings previously wielded by his father has not popped up since then. That’s not to say the still-in-development Shang-Chi 2 needed to be released by now, but given Marvel’s habit of having leading superheroes from one project make supporting appearances or cameos in other projects, I can’t be faulted for thinking that Shang-Chi could have gotten the same treatment.

The good news is we at least know when we’ll finally reunite with the Sacred Timeline’s Shang-Chi. Simu Liu is part of the massive ensemble cast for next year’s Avengers: Doomsday, which has been filming in London since late April. Although Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ mid-credits scene teased that the rings are acting as a beacon for something, it’s unclear if that will be addressed in Doomsday. It also remains to be seen if Liu will also be present in Avengers: Secret Wars, as so far Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four are only confirmed characters for that movie.

Still, it’ll be nice to Shang-Chi back in action come December 18, 2026. It’s been far too long since we spent time with him in a live-action setting, and I look forward to seeing him fight alongside the Fantastic Four, Avengers, New Avengers and X-Men, among others. Meanwhile, Simu Liu’s next movie, the animated In Your Dreams, will become available to stream with a Netflix subscription starting on November 14.

While there’s a lot we still don’t know about all the big upcoming Marvel movies, we recently got some big news in the form of the main cast of Avengers: Doomsday being officially confirmed during an epic five and a half hour livestream event. One member of that cast, Simu Liu, recently revealed that, while he, of course, knew that his name would appear, the rest of the names were as much a surprise for him as it was for the rest of us.

Appearing on The Jennifer Hudson Show, Simu Liu talked about how excited he was to be joining the cast. However, who else would be named was apparently news to him. He says he knew nothing about Doomsday beyond his own participation because a couple of other Avengers had ruined it for everybody. Liu said…

Tom Holland and Mark Ruffalo both have reputations for having loose lips when it comes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Holland especially has needed to be handled to avoid spilling the beans. Both actors have a tendency to say more than they should about their movies. Marvel has always been pretty tight with details in order to avoid spoilers from leaking, but it seems the studio is taking zero chances with its own talent.

This meant that the endless stream of chairs was just as wild an experience for Simu Liu because he didn’t know what names would be appearing. By and large, the biggest surprise for fans was the list of original X-Men franchise actors who will be joining the MCU. Liu specifically mentioned two of them that he is very excited about. The Shang-Chi actor said…

One can tell that the idea of acting alongside Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen has Simu Liu more than a little excited.

Of course, if details of Avengers: Doomsday are being kept under wraps, then he likely doesn't know yet if he’ll share a scene with either of them. With so many characters appearing in the film, unless the movie contains an Avengers: Endgame-style final battle that includes literally everybody, then it’s more likely that only small groups of these characters will share screentime together.

We’ll find out what’s going on when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters next year. Hopefully, Shang-Chi and the X-Men get to hang out together for a while.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is constantly releasing new content, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know Phases Four and Five introduced a ton of new characters, including Simu Liu's Shang-Chi. The 35 year-old actor recently shared a shirtless thirst trap in grey sweatpants, and he definitely looks ready to suit back up as his Marvel hero.

What we know about Avengers: Doomsday is limited, but Simu Liu was included in the cast list that was recently announced by the studio. He'll presumably start filming that upcoming Marvel movie soon, and he certainly seems to be in superheroic shape. Check out his recent Instagram post:

Honestly, I feel bad for Robert Downey Jr.'s Doctor Doom at this point. I wouldn't want to get into a tussle with Liu while he's looking that swole. And folks in the comments section are definitely thrilled about the concept of the actor's long-awaited return as Shang-Chi.

Indeed, the comments section on this post are pretty lively. It's an even mix of folks who are straight up thirsting after Simu Liu, as well as Marvel fans who are hyped about him looking so swole ahead of filming Avengers: Doomsday. Check out some choice responses below:

• 🔥 Gray sweatpants?! How very dare you! 🔥 crafty_dough
• Shang-Chi is coming back 🔥🔥 andydv27
• I think he's lost his shirt. He can be my Ken. 🥴🫠🔥 lorrainehorton1
• My one ring just became 10 rings greatmemewall
• Abracadaddy sicknanchez56 

The Kim's Convenience alum was probably expecting these types of reactions upon posting this thirst trap. Between being able to wash clothes on his abdominals and the afore mentioned grey sweat pants, there are plenty of fire emojis and folks calling Liu "Daddy." Hey, that's what happens when you become a superhero and sex symbol at the same time.

Ever since Shang-Chi's ending, fans have been waiting for Simu Liu to return as the title role. Development on the Shang-Chi 2 has been slow going, despite fan excitement for the hero. Not every newcomer has been received so well by the fandom, just look at the reception for Eternals and The Marvels' box office bomb.

Fans were thrilled when it was confirmed that Liu was finally going to play Shang-Chi again in Avengers: Doomsday. There are countless questions about that developing blockbuster. Fans are wondering exactly how that ensemble of characters will be used, as well as how RDJ's Doctor Doom will be introduced and utilized. Hopefully we get more information sooner rather than later.

Unfortunately fans will still have to wait, as Avengers: Doomsday isn't even on the 2025 movie release list. First up is Thunderbolts* which arrives on May 2nd.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is always expanding, releasing new content in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order have seen how the share universe struggled a bit in the post-Endgame period, although there were exceptions like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Wondering what's going on with Shang-Chi 2? Sounds like Simu Liu may be, too.

What we know about Shang-Chi 2 is super limited, as there's been almost no news about the upcoming Marvel movie since it was announced. This is somewhat surprising, especially considering how well-received the first movie was. Liu is routinely asked about the project, and hasn't been given answers. And he turned heads when (via Twitter), he liked a comment on TikTok about the sequel taking too long. That comment read:

There you have it. Sounds like Liu is definitely ready to return to the MCU, especially in a sequel to Shang-Chi. But the development process for that title has been super long, and there's no concrete answers as to when production on the sequel will finally begin. And Liu liking that comment seems to indicate that he's feeling antsy too.

Of course, just because Shang-Chi 2 is taking a long time doesn't mean that Simu Liu won't be back as his signature character. He got to voice Shang-Chi in a few episodes of What If...?, although fans are most interested in seeing his return to live-action. That could presumably happen in The Russo Brothers' upcoming Marvel movies, which will be crossover-heavy events like Avengers: Doomsday.

Information about the next two Avengers flicks are super limited right now. A rumor claimed that Shang-Chi was going to be a very big character in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, although that movie was scrapped after Jonathan Majors was fired from his role. While this opened the door for Robert Downey Jr. to return to the MCU as Doctor Doom, I'm hoping that Simu Liu's character still gets to have a big role... especially after how long it's taking to get a proper sequel.

As previously mentioned, there have been a number of notable misses in the MCU after Avengers: Endgame. Audiences and critics failed to connect with Chloé Zhao's Eternals, which isn't getting a sequel anytime soon. The Marvels' was a box office bomb, which was another red flag for the state of the shared universe. Luckily the movie that followed it was Deadpool & Wolverine, which broke records. So there's still hope for the MCU, although there seems to be more risk involved. Perhaps that's why Shang-Chi 2 hasn't moved forward yet.

The next Marvel movie hitting theaters is Captain America: Brave New World on February 14th. For now, check the 2025 movie release dates.

Shang-Chi 2 is among the more mysterious upcoming Marvel movies. It has been confirmed that the project is in development, with notable talent attached, but it’s a project that remains in a somewhat nebulous state. It’s a film that seems to be a bit in the background as machinations are being made with the future of the Marvel movie timeline – but it is happening, and there are key details to know.

When will we see Shang-Chi 2? Who is presently attached to direct and star? What will it be about? We’ve put together this guide to answer or at least attempt to answer all of those questions. As more is revealed about the project, we’ll continue to do updates, and we’ll keep our fingers crossed that it develops as one of the best Marvel movies yet.

Shang-Chi 2 Does Not Presently Have A Release Date

At the time of this article’s publication, there are six upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movies that have release dates between now and summer 2027. Unfortunately, Shang-Chi 2 is not one of them. It will certainly not be part of the 2025 slate, which sees Captain America: Brave New World released in February, Thunderbolts* arriving in May, and The Fantastic Four: First Steps hitting theaters in July.

The 2026 calendar includes Avengers: Doomsday making its debut in May and the untitled Spider-Man 4 swinging to the big screen in July (the latter presents complications that I will further explain later). It’s presently unlikely that Shang-Chi 2 will end up with a release date before the premiere of Avengers: Secret Wars in May 2027.

The Cast Of Shang-Chi 2

You can’t really make a Shang-Chi movie without Shang-Chi, right? For principally that reason, it feels completely safe to say that the untitled Shang-Chi 2 will once again feature the talents of the charismatic Canadian Simu Liu. After being officially announced in the role at San Diego Comic-Con 2019, Liu made his debut as the hero in 2021’s Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. That adventure saw him endure a chaotic reunion with his very special family and inherit the blockbusters’ titular weapon: which give him immense power and basically make him an immortal.

As for who else will appear in Shang-Chi 2… that’s a question without an answer. It would seem like a safe bet that the sequel will see the return of Shang-Chi’s best friend Katy, who was played by Awkwafina, but that has not yet been confirmed.

The Director Of Shang-Chi 2

How do we know that Shang-Chi 2 is a thing? We can trace the project’s origin back to December 2021 – just a few months after the release of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. The film had been a success despite debuting as theaters were just returning to business after the COVID-19 shutdown, and that success was rewarded with director Destin Daniel Cretton getting an offer to direct the sequel. Since then, however, Marvel has seemingly kept the project on the backburner, with focus going to the on-the-way blockbusters mentioned earlier as well as the numerous upcoming Marvel TV shows.

Here’s where things get a bit tricky, however: the talent of Destin Daniel Cretton is clearly recognized within the scope of everything that’s going on behind the scenes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and since Shang-Chi was announced in December 2021, he’s had multiple other intra-franchise opportunities. Prior to the whole film being cancelled, Avengers: Kang Dynasty had him attached as director (he parted ways with the project in November 2023). Since then, he has been given the keys to the future of the Spider-Man series. After Jon Watts took the helm of Spider-Man: Homecoming, Spider-Man: Far From Home and Spider-Man: No Way Home, Cretton is now set to take the helm of Spider-Man 4 starring Tom Holland.

Whether or not this increases the odds of Shang-Chi making some kind of appearance in Spider-Man 4 is a subject to be debated among fans, but it’s otherwise hard to see it as good news for those looking forward to the next solo Shang-Chi adventure, as making Spider-Man 4 will surely occupy Destin Daniel Cretton’s entire 2025 calendar and most of 2026.

How Does Shang-Chi Fit Into The Future Of The Marvel Cinematic Universe?

In 2021, Shang-Chi had the distinction of being the first major new hero introduced on the big screen in the wake of Avengers: Endgame. Given the incredible powers that he has thanks to the Ten Rings, he should be an important ally in the battle against any major upcoming villains – and we’re not yet forgetting about the tease in the end credits of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings that suggested the titular ancient weapon was somehow being used as a beacon (as for who it’s contacting/who is contacting it, we do not presently know).

Given all of that, there is every expectation that Shang-Chi will be part of the fighting force for good that ultimately organizes in the upcoming movies Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars… but nothing about either of those films casting-wise has been confirmed beyond Robert Downey Jr. playing the role of Victor von Doom a.k.a. Doctor Doom.

How To Watch Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

Has reading all about Shang-Chi 2 now given you the desire to go revisit Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings? Good news: like all Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters, it’s an exceptionally easy movie to find and watch. If you’re a physical media collector, you can pick up a copy of the film on 4K UHD, which also includes a Blu-ray and digital copy. If you have a Disney+ subscription, you can watch it right now with just a few clicks, and if not, you can find the film available to rent or purchase from online outlets including Amazon, Fandango At Home, Apple and Google Play.

That wraps up everything we presently know about Shang-Chi 2, but stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for all of the latest updates about the project.

Simu Liu delights fans on social media with cheeky posts and tidbits from his feature films. The Marvel star is also known to share the occasional selfie, and he truly just delivered in that regard. Liu took to the web to post a shirtless pic, and he looks ripped. Funny enough, one specific thought came to my mind, and that was even before I saw the sea of responses in the comment section. So imagine my surprise when Star Wars veteran John Boyega shared a reaction that completely aligned with what I was thinking about.

What Did Simu Liu Post, And How Did John Boyega React To It?

The Barbie star’s chiseled body (complete with distracting abs) was on full display in a photo that he shared to X. As sizzling as the photo is, it’s his caption that truly seemed to grab some people’s attention. The actor cryptically typed down “prepping…,” with the caption being accompanied by the curious eyes emoji. What really made me chuckle, though, was the how the Star War veteran reacted. Check out the original post and the response:

Needless to say, the Jackpot! star is looking jacked, but it's unclear what he's preparing for. Still, my first inclination was to think that Simu Liu was teasing that work has finally begun on the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings sequel. So it delights me to no end that John Boyega had Marvel’s kung-fu master on the brain as well.

I love and appreciate so much about the Attack the Block star, but what I really love is his admiration for his peers’ work. His gif post would suggest that he’s just as eager to see the Atlas star return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as well. What’s also sweet is that the Canadian actor also reacted to John Boyega’s response with a fun one of his own. He shared a gif of John Boyega’s Star Wars character, Finn, from The Force Awakens. As fun as this exchange is, it does remind me that fans are still in need of answers on the next Shang-Chi movie.

How Much Has Been Said About Marvel Studios’ Shang-Chi 2 At This Point?

Unfortunately, not much has been said about the next installment of Xu Shang-Chi’s next solo film, and Marvel Studios hasn’t even formally announced it yet. It was reported in 2021, however, that Shang-Chi 2 would move forward, as director Destin Daniel Cretton signed an exclusive multi-year deal with Disney. As part of that agreement, Cretton has overseen another Marvel production – upcoming show Wonder Man. More recently, it was also reported that Cretton had signed on to direct Spider-Man 4, starring Tom Holland.

Should that Spidey news prove to be true, it’s unclear as to how long fans will have to wait to see the next solo film starring the MCU’s resident martial artist. Amid the uncertainty surrounding the superhero flick, though, Simu Liu has been keeping fans optimistic – and not just by posting ripped selfies. Back in April, Liu addressed rumors that the film had been canceled by assuring fans that “it’s happening.”

There’s certainly, at the very least, a chance that the latest social media post from the Simulant star indicates that he’s almost ready to don his eponymous rings once more. I’ll certainly remain hopeful that Shang-Chi 2 is a step closer to happening and, whenever it opens, I’ll be one of the first in line to see it. John Boyega’s reaction to the selfie also makes me confident that he’ll be among those who eventually buy a ticket as well.

While you wait for an official update, stream Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as well as the Marvel movies in order using a Disney+ subscription.

Those of us who have spent years watching the Marvel movies in order know that the shared universe is always growing, both in theaters and streaming with a Disney+ subscription. Fans are eager to learn more about upcoming Marvel movies, especially the two Avengers movies coming from The Russo Brothers. A recent report claims that Shang-Chi would have been a huge character in Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, and I really hope he still gets the spotlight in Doomsday.

What we now about Avengers: Doomsday is extremely limited, but the MCU is seemingly dropping the Kang storyline altogether. While fans are excited that Robert Downey Jr. will star as Doctor Doom, there's plenty of questions about all the MCU characters introduced since Endgame. A report by Inverse claims to know information about what was being planned for The Kang Dynasty, specifically related to Simu Liu's Shang-Chi.

Per this story, Shang-Chi would have been one of the main leads of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Fans have not-so-patiently been waiting for Shang-Chi's sequel, although the studio has been quiet about its plans. We still don't know when that'll happen, but giving him the spot light in Avengers 5 would have definitely made up for that.

This report doesn't reveal if the studio is still planning to make Shang-Chi one of the protagonists of Avengers: Doomsday. But as a fan who absolutely loved Simu Liu's critically acclaimed solo movie, I'm hoping that it still happens. But exactly how Doctor Doom will join the MCU and shape the story of the blockbuster remains a mystery for the time being.

The MCU has had a number of missteps in the years since Avengers: Endgame became the highest grossing movie of all time. Eternals failed to impress and won't get a sequel, while both Ant-Man 3 and The Marvels bombed at the box office. This makes the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings all the more significant in retrospect.

Unfortunately, the public is totally in the dark regarding what might go down in Avengers: Doomsday. The Fantastic Four will presumably play a large role, given that Doctor Doom is typically their villain. Could this mean that Shang-Chi gets pushed to the sidelines and ends up being a supporting character? Only time will tell.

The studio seemingly set up Simu Liu's future with Shang-Chi's credits scene. In it, he met with a number of Avengers, including Wong, a non-Hulky Bruce Banner, and Captain Marvel. As such, his relationship with certain heroes should be solid if/when he return for the next Avengers movie. Hopefully the studio (or Simu Liu himself) offer an update sooner rather than later.

Avengers: Doomsday is currently expected to arrive in theaters on May 1st, 2026. While we wait for information, check out the 2025 movie release dates.

Over five years after the earth-shattering events of Avengers: Endgame, the Marvel Cinematic Universe finds itself in the midst of a new era. This stretch of the continuity – known as the Multiverse Saga – picks up characters and plot threads from the Infinity Saga. Simultaneously, it has also introduced a fresh and diverse crop of young MCU heroes. Within their ranks is the eponymous character of the 2021 film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It’s an incredibly entertaining piece of work, and I’d argue that this particular MCU entry deserves much more appreciation. 

Chances are that, by this point, you’ve heard what a lot of commentators have been saying about the MCU as of late. Many argue that it’s declined in quality and that the new material doesn’t hold a candle to that of the first three phases. Well, Phases Four and Five have birthed very good movies and TV shows, and people typically bring up WandaVision, Spider-Man: No Way Home, Loki, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and other select titles when making that point. 

From what I’ve personally seen, though, Shang-Chi (which was well reviewed upon release) is barely mentioned in that discussion. And, as we celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, I thought this would be a perfect time to reflect on the film and discuss its many merits. So let’s dive in.

Shang-Chi Provides Another Solid Origin Story In The MCU

Yes, origin stories are definitely not uncommon in this fictional universe, as Iron Man, Captain America: The First Avenger, Ant-Man and Thor are just a few of the movies to deliver such tales. Shang-Chi definitely falls into that category as well, given that it seeks to establish the titular character and those in his orbit. The crux of the film is his complicated relationship with his father, Wenwu (a.k.a. The Mandarin), who’s the long-reigning leader of the Ten Rings Organization. Ultimately, the lead character seeks to prevent his estranged warlord dad from entering a mythical village and inadvertently releasing an ancient evil. 

The film does indeed hit a number of familiar story beats, and some are very on the nose. However, director Destin Daniel Cretton (who co-wrote the movie with David Callaham and Andrew Lanham) crafts a sweet tale that offers plenty of thrills. What’s most compelling, though, is the family drama, which helps keep the proceedings grounded (as much as a Marvel story can be). There’s also another element that boosts this film, and we’re going to talk about that next. 

The Film Introduces A Number Of Great Characters To The Canon

I’d argue that the vast majority of MCU movies and TV shows have mostly introduced entertaining characters that are easy to root for, and that rings true here. Simu Liu’s Xu Shang-Chi is a noble, yet imperfect, individual, who struggles with his shady familial ties. Also, like so many heroes before him, it’s not hard to relate to the skilled fighter. That’s also the case when it comes to his estranged sister, Xialing (Meng'er Zhang), a self-taught martial artist who has a chip on her shoulder due to being mostly ignored by her father. And, speaking of Wenwu, the great Tony Leung helps make the Mandarin into a layered antagonist, as opposed to a one-note Big Bad.

Among the supporting players is the main character’s best friend, Katy, who tags along on the interdimensional journey. She’s played by comedian Awkwafina, who delivers some funny lines as the valet-turned-archer. And, while they play smaller roles in the overall story, Shang-Chi and Xialing’s mother, Ying Li (Fala Chen) and her sister, Ying Nan (MIchelle Yeoh), are solid additions to this continuity, as well. Also, even though he’s not a new character, Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery – the formerly drunken actor who impersonated the Mandarin in Iron Man 3 – is great as is his hunden friend, Morris.

This Movie Is Filled With Impeccable Fight Sequences That Set A New Standard For The MCU

When it comes to excellent hand-to-hand combat scenes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, most probably look to the latter two Captain America movies, and understandably so. Yet, more recently, not enough people talk about the truly incredible fight sequences that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings offers. Overseen by the late Brad Allan and fellow members of the Jackie Chan Stunt Team, the fights feel both energetic and pristine. They also serve their narrative purposes well, as any given character’s movements tells the viewer something about them. 

There are so many great moments that come to mind, with the first being the visually stunning duel between Wenwu and Ying Li during the film’s prologue. The epic bus fight involving Shang-Chi, Razor Fist (Florian Munteanu) and members of the Ten Rings is also a major standout. Of course, there’s also the battle between the titular hero and the Death Dealer in Macau, which is beautifully filmed and choreographed. Not many films in general can deliver such moments of spectacle, and Destin Daniel Cretton and co. deserve our respect for that.

Shang-Chi Marks A Major Win For Representation Within The Marvel Sphere And The Movie Industry Altogether

As beloved as the MCU has been for much of its existence, many have criticized it over the years for its lack of diversity, especially during the early years. Progress has since been made via Black Panther, Eternals, Ms. Marvel and more, and Shang-Chi is a key part of that change. It’s not only the first movie in this continuity to feature an Asian lead but also arguably the first superhero movie in general to center around a character of that ethnicity. One must also mention that there's a predominantly Asian cast as well.

Destin Daniel Cretton’s film lovingly shows reverence for Asian culture in the way that Black Panther did for the African diaspora and how Ms. Marvel would eventually do it for Muslim culture. Many praised the movie for this, including cast member Michelle Yeoh, as she opined that it “ninja-kicked that glass ceiling” for representation. While it’s unfortunate that it took so long for this kind of film to happen, we can hope that the martial arts epic is only the first of its kind.

There Are A Few Sweet Tie-Ins To The Larger Cinematic Universe

This wouldn’t be a Marvel movie without a few nods to pre-existing elements within the fictional universe or hints at what’s to come. Aside from Trevor Slattery, the film also features an appearance from Wong of the Doctor Strange franchise, who shows up during the movie and in the mid-credits stinger. Also popping up in the flick is The Incredible Hulk’s Emil Blonsky/the Abomination, who does battle with Wong at an underground fight club in Macau. 

As for the aforementioned Shang-Chi mid-credits scene, it features appearances from (an un-Hulkized)  Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) There’s also a hint at the future of the titular ten rings, which may or may not be sending a signal to an unknown place. 

It’s fair to say that the MCU isn’t in as strong a place as it was during the Infinity Saga, but the Multiverse Saga has delivered some genuinely entertaining and creative stories. The first film to star Marvel’s “Master of Kung-Fu” absolutely deserves to be mentioned alongside the other productions that fall into that bucket. As of this writing, it’s unclear when the character will appear again, though a sequel is in the works – and Simu Liu has shut down rumors that it’s been canceled. Let’s hope that film arrives sooner rather than later, and that more people continue to acknowledge the greatness of this martial arts drama.

Stream Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings using a Disney+ subscription, and keep your eyes peeled for updates on the sequel by looking at the slate of upcoming Marvel movies.

It’s no secret that virtually anyone who plays a superhero within the Marvel universe gets absolutely ripped on the studio’s dime. Brie Larson went viral for getting Captain Marvel fit, Chris Hemsworth continues to share his Thor workouts on social media, and Hugh Jackman has been hitting the weights in anticipation of Wolverine's return for Deadpool 3. As for Simu Liu, the Shang-Chi actor claims that his superhero diet is rather “lackadaisical,” but clearly his abs haven’t heard the news. In his new film, Arthur The King, he plays a professional adventure racer, so one can assume that his Marvel muscles came in handy. However, according to Liu, they may have actively worked against him. 

In Arthur The King, Simu Liu's character Leo climbs, cycles, hikes and runs his way through the jungles of the Dominican Republic alongside Mark Wahlberg’s Mikael. When asked how those Shang-Chi biceps came in handy, Liu said the following:

Well, there you have it! Simu Liu just insinuated that his Marvel muscles aren’t practical. Chances are that throughout the course of filming, he grew a great respect for the folks who participate in this 10-day trek through the jungle. As such, he likely wouldn’t want to imply that simply by having a strong Hollywood gym routine, he’s the least bit prepared to be an actual adventure racer. But hey, he sure managed to pull it off on film. 

Arthur The King isn’t strictly an adventure racing story, as there’s also the titular dog of it all. The film tells the true story of Mikael Lindnord, who adopted a stray dog, Arthur, after the pup somehow followed Mikael’s crew on their treacherous jungle journey. Simu Liu plays opposite Mark Wahlberg as Leo, an Instagram-famous athlete. So really, if they are just glamour muscles he walked on set with, it’s still fitting for the character!

As for Liu’s future at Marvel, it looks bright! He recently revealed that, while he’s not sure exactly when a Shang-Chi sequel will come our way, he’s excited for director Destin Daniel Cretton to be back on board. And hey, with the state of the larger Marvel universe as it is, he could realistically pop up anywhere! 

You can see Arthur The King in theaters on March 15! Of course, as with everything on the 2024 movie release schedule, we’ll keep you updated.

While the upcoming Marvel movies slate has a lot of exciting material on the way, including this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine, the new Fantastic Four and two Avengers movies, it’s notably missing the return of Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi. While a sequel was previously announced back in 2021, we haven’t heard much regarding the movie moving out of the development stage. Simu Liu just offered a new update, but it’s not exactly satisfying. 

Liu was asked about the state of Shang-Chi 2 while attending the premiere of his new movie Arthur the King. Here’s what he said: 

While speaking to ComicBook, the actor shared that things are still rather up in the air when it comes to what’s next for Shang-Chi 2. Simu Liu is anxious for the next call from Marvel to play the hero again, but it sounds like as of now, there’s not much going on in terms of the sequel, which is set to once again be helmed by Destin Daniel Cretton. 

2023 was a big year for Simu Liu considering he was in the Barbie cast, and he also has quite a few movies on the horizon for 2024, including Arthur the King. But for now it seems unlikely he’ll jump back on the set of another Shang-Chi movie just yet. Over this past summer, Liu said that he was previously told that Shang-Chi 2 would follow the next Avengers movie, but a number of things “beyond” his control has kept pushing the slate back. Among them, last year there were two major Hollywood strikes for the writers guild and actors guild. Additionally, the actor who was playing the next Thanos-sized villain, Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror, was dropped from Marvel after a series of legal issues and allegations. 

Liu’s next movie Arthur the King hits theaters on March 15. He’ll also star in the drama Last Breath, which is set to come out on June 20, and appear in the Netflix movie Atlas alongside Jennifer Lopez, which is coming sometime this year. While we wait for the next Shang-Chi update, the first movie is available to stream with a Disney+ subscription. 

While Stephanie Hsu was not among the winners at the 2023 Academy Awards, her Best Supporting Actress-nominated performance in this year’s Best Picture Oscar winner, Everything Everywhere All At Once, has undoubtedly earned her a bright future in Hollywood. Yet, those who have been paying attention to her career — and have not mistaken her for Lana Condor — should know that this is far from her first rodeo. 

The 32-year-old California native — who, according to Today, was born to a Chinese single mother who immigrated to the States from Taiwan — has been acting since she was in her teens and made her Broadway debut as Karen the Computer in SpongeBob Squarepants: The Musical in 2017, before landing small roles in the Netflix original TV show, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, and the Netflix rom-com, Set it Up, to name just a few. For this article, however, we are focusing on some of the biggest roles of Hsu’s skyrocketing career so far and the performances that led to her stunning breakthrough turn in Everything Everywhere All At Once. In fact, that is exactly where we shall start.

Joy Wang/Jobu Tupaki - Everything Everywhere All At Once (2022)

I certainly empathize with those who found it surprising Jamie Lee Curtis won Best Supporting Actress Oscar Stephanie Hsu because, while the legendary horror movie Scream Queen was fantastic in Everything Everywhere All At Once — one of the best movies of 2022 — what Hsu achieves playing two different roles at once is phenomenal. 

As Joy Wang, she demonstrates the heartbreaking lack of acceptance that many children of immigrant parents can relate to, and her variant — the ultra-powerful Jobu Tupaki — is an exaggerated representation of the rebellion such conflicts can lead to. Invoking a compelling vulnerability as Joy and dazzling sass as Tupaki, she sticks the landing in this cross-dimensional balancing act flawlessly.

Soo - Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings (2021)

Just a year before starring in one of the greatest movies about the Multiverse, Stephanie Hsu stepped into the Marvel Multiverse — or became a part of the central continuity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, at least. She appears in two scenes of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings — also starring Michelle Yeoh, Hsu’s onscreen mother from Everything Everywhere All At Once — as Soo, who gives our title hero (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina) trouble for their stunted approach to adulthood when catching up over dinner. It is her shocked reaction later after learning their story about saving the world was true that makes her stand out as an MVP MCU scene-stealer.

Shu Shu - Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens (2020-2021)

Before appearing alongside Awkwafina and Simu Liu in the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings cast, Stephanie Hsu worked with them on the comedian’s hit Comedy Central series, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens, which could be the peak of her comedic brilliance. She first appeared as a friend of Nora’s grandmother (Lori Tan Chinn) named in Shu Shu in Season 1’s Korean drama-inspired flashback episode, “Grandma & Chill,” which is also helmed by Everything Everywhere All At Once’s Oscar-winning directorial duo, Daniel Kwan and Daniel Sheinert. Hsu would reprise the role in the present day-set Season 2 episode, “Don’t F**k with Grandmas,” with only a silver-haired wig to show that time had passed.

Mei Lin - The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (2019-2022)

On second thought, the peak of her comedic brilliance might actually be her recurring role in the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel cast as Mei Lin. She entered the picture as the spunky, fast-talking Chinese-American woman who sparks up a romance with the title character’s ex-husband, Joel (Michael Zegen), in Season 3 of the beloved Amazon Prime original TV show. Hsu’s performance is so endlessly charming and funny that I am convinced she deserves a good chunk of credit for the series’ win for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in 2020.

Jenny - Asking For It (2020)

The first time that Hsu was given the chance to bring her gifts for humorous acting to the spotlight, front and center, was in 2020 with the dark comedy movie, Asking For It. Written by first-time screenwriter Becky Scott, who also co-directs with Amanda Lundquist, the movie stars Hsu as Jenny — a journalist whose pleas for help against a threatening internet stalker are ignored, forcing her to take matters into her own hands. As a fun, quirky film with an empowering message and a grim edge elevated by Hsu’s performance and the star-power of Janeane Garofalo and David Krumholtz, it is a good one to cite as a first leading role, even if it is one of her lesser known credits.

Morty - Poker Face (2023)

One of Hsu’s more recent dips into dark comedy came when she joined the star-studded cast of guest actors from the acclaimed Peacock original TV show, Poker Face. We do not really know the true name of her role in the ninth episode of creator Rian Johnson’s latest twist on the whodunnit (“Escape from Shit Mountain”), but after she pays for gas with a credit card under the name “Mortimer Bernstein” (which she very likely stole), our lie-detecting protagonist, Charlie Cale (Natasha Lyonne), begins calling her new kleptomaniac road buddy “Morty.” 

In an episode the also stars two-time Emmy winner and frequent Johnson collaborator Joseph Gordon-Levitt and The Umbrella Academy’s David Castañeda, Hsu totally steals the show here in one of the most memorable of the series’ many A-list guest appearances.

Zhen - Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight (2022)

The most recent instance of Stephanie Hsu working with one of her Everything Everywhere All At Once co-stars was when she leant her voice to Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, on which James Hong (who plays her grandfather in the Oscar-winning movie) reprises his role as noodlemaker, Mr. Ping — the adoptive father of Po (Jack Black). 

Hsu stars in three episodes from the first season of Netflix’s series spin-off of the hit Dreamworks Animation movie as Zhen — a young, angsty member of a monastery run by hedgehogs. After she is wrongfully accused of nearly destroying her village, Po and his English knight mentor, Wandering Blade (Rita Ora), break her out of imprisonment to help them find the real, dangerous culprit.

She will also be reuniting with Hong, Yeoh, and Ke Huy Quan from Everything Everywhere All At Once and Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton soon for Disney+’s upcoming series adaptation of the graphic novel, American Born Chinese. The actress also joined the star-studded voice cast of the upcoming Netflix movie, Leo, and has the comedy Joy Ride coming out in 2023. No matter what, we will always, always want to see what she has next in store.

Michelle Yeoh is on a roll as of late, isn’t she? Sure, the actress has been a huge movie star for years, between her roles in Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Memoirs of a Geisha and Tomorrow Never Dies, but in the past few years she’s been in more successful movies than ever, including being part of the cast of 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which not only was the first MCU movie led by an Asian cast, but a huge box office hit. While reflecting on her career thus far, Yeoh highlighted the big win Shang-Chi became. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings came out at a time when the pandemic was very much still stunting even major films from pulling big numbers. However, when it hit theaters during Labor Day weekend in 2021, it shattered the box office record for that holiday weekend and went on to become the second highest grossing movie of the year domestically and among The top 10 worldwide. Yeoh said this about Shang-Chi after commenting that the movie "ninja-kicked that glass ceiling to smithereens”: 

During an interview with People, the actress said the Marvel movie was "a huge leap forward" for Asian representation in Hollywood. Michelle Yeoh shared that she felt the movie’s success was an additional indicator to her that real change had occurred in the industry after coming off Crazy Rich Asians, another widely successful movie featuring an all-Asian cast. The 2018 movie went on to become one of the highest grossing romantic comedies of all time, beating out The Proposal’s spot. 

Over the last few years, Michelle Yeoh has been at the center of numerous projects that have marked steps in the right direction regarding Asian representation as part of mainstream cinema. The same year Shang-Chi hit theaters, a study (via NBC News) found that nearly half of Asian and Pacific Islander roles were created as punchlines in movies while also revealing that over 93 percent of Asian Americans polled felt representation in movies was lacking. 

After Michelle Yeoh’s big roles in Crazy Rich Asians and Shang-Chi, the actress went on to star in the most recognized movie in the 2023 Oscar nominations, with Everything Everywhere All At Once nabbing 11 nominations. Within that, Yeoh has recently become the first Asian actress to earn a nomination in the Best Actress category. We’ll find out during the Oscars on Sunday, March 12 if she takes home the trophy. You can also look forward to Yeoh in the American Born Chinese cast, hitting Disney+ this Spring. 

Simu Liu has a whirlwind few years, between becoming Shang-Chi for the MCU, after his humble beginnings playing Spider-Man at birthday parties, to releasing his personal memoir and being part of some exciting Hollywood projects like the Barbie movie and an upcoming sci-fi Netflix film with Jennifer Lopez. Between all that, Liu has recently found a sweetheart in Allison Hsu, who spent the holidays with, including Liu introducing her to his parents. 

Allison Hsu first debuted on Simu Liu’s Instagram in early December, where the couple wore Christmas sweaters to the Violent Night premiere. The actor also shared a round of photos of the pair on vacation in Caribbean island, Anguilla, recently too. When speaking to the relationship for the first time, Liu said this: 

After the couple have kept things pretty low-key on social media, he opened up about his relationship with Allison Hsu, who is the Senior Digital Marketing Manager for Interscope Records, to People ahead of Christmas while attending the 20th Annual Unforgettable Gala at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. The Shang-Chi actor also shared this about his girlfriend: 

Hsu earned the distinction of one of 2022’s Forbes 30 Under 30 for leading digital content for stars like Billie Eilish and Lady Gaga. While Simu Liu was feeling the stress of having his new partner meet each other's parents over the holiday season, the couple certainly looked happy as can be at John Legend and Chrissy Teigen’s holiday party. Check out the adorable photos of the pair below: 

Liu also spoke to his recent sunny vacation to the site, saying getting the “opportunity to just marinate on a beach for a few days” was “pretty awesome” as Los Angeles has faced some rather cold days as of late. As the couple enters 2023, the actor shared each of their resolutions, saying his was to exercise more and spend less time “mindlessly scrolling” on his phone while Hsu’s was to be a “better texter.” 

In the new year, Simu Liu is set to be part of Barbie’s stacked cast. The movie directed by Lady Bird and Little Women’s Greta Gerwig will have the famed doll adapted into live-action with Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling leading as Barbie and Ken. You can see a tease of Liu in a dance sequence in the Barbie trailer ahead of the movie’s release on July 21. With another big year coming the actor's way, it looks like he's found a steady partner for himself in Hsu. Congrats to them for getting through their first holidays! 

Although plenty of familiar faces have been present during the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Phase Four, the past year has also seen a number of prominent superheroes jump into action in this franchise for the first time. In September 2021, we were introduced Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi, who inherited the Ten Rings from his father, Xu Wenwu (a.k.a. The Mandarin), right before he was killed by the Dweller-in-Darkness. Then this past June, Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan entered the picture, with this version of Ms. Marvel, who is the MCU’s first mutant, obtaining a bangle that unlocked her ability to create hard light constructs. These weapons are pretty cool, but a rumor has surfaced claiming that they’re even more important to the MCU’s future than has been indicated so far.

According to The Illuminerdi, Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings and Ms. Marvel’s bangle were left on Earth long ago by the same aliens, although the outlet wasn’t clued in on the identity of the species. That being said, the cosmic weapons are reportedly filling the same kind of role that the Infinity Stones did in The Infinity Saga, and as such will be especially key to the wider narrative of The Multiverse Saga, i.e. the Marvel movies and Marvel TV shows comprising Phases 4 through 6. Assuming this information is accurate, it’s unclear if any other weapons we’ve seen in Phase 4 or will end up seeing in Phases 5 and 6 will be directly tied to the Rings and bangle, although the Ebony Blade introduced in Eternals would be a logical candidate.

You’ll recall that in the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings mid-credits scene, the title protagonist and his friend Katy learned from Wong, Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers that the Ten Rings were doubling some kind of beacon. Also, although Xu Wenwu discovered the Rings a millennia ago, they were much older than that. Given that Shang-Chi 2 has been greenlit, there was already a good chance we’d learn more these weapons in the sequel, but now I’m wondering if the recipient of that beacon’s signal in a different Marvel project.

Moving to Ms. Marvel’s bangle, although the Disney+ show revealed that Kamala Khan’s great-grandmother Aisha, the original owner of the bangle, was one of the Clandestines, a group of Djinns who were exiled to Earth from the Noor dimension. However, the origins of the bangle itself were never explored, prompting fans to speculate that it could be the MCU’s take on the Kree Nega-Bands or Quasar’s Quantum Bands from the comics. As of right now, Ms. Marvel hasn’t been renewed for a second season, but Kamala will return next year in The Marvels, so don’t be surprised if some light is shed on the bangle there.

It’s worth mentioning that a connection has already been established between Ms. Marvel’s bangle and the Ten Rings, although in this case I’m referring to Xu Wenwu’s terrorist organization. In the Ms. Marvel episode “Destined,” Aisha was seen retrieving the bangle from a temple in British India in 1942, and on the floor of the temple was the symbol of the Ten Rings. Not only that, but the bangle was found around the arm of a dead, blue-skinned individual. Was this a Kree or someone from a different alien species? Also, what happened to the other bangle? There are so many questions to ponder!

The Multiverse Saga was already shaping up to be a wild ride thanks to Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror filling the main antagonist role Thanos once occupied. However, provided this rumor is true, now the exploration of other realities is strengthened by the cosmic mysteries surrounding the Ten Rings and the bangle. There’s no word yet on when Shang-Chi 2 will premiere in theaters, but The Marvels arrives on July 28, 2023.

Around this time last year, Simu Liu became a blockbuster star when Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings became a record-breaking Marvel hit. Liu is undoubtedly at the beginning of his Marvel journey, with a Shang-Chi sequel already in the works, but that’s not stopping the actor from signing on for more roles outside the MCU. His latest get is as the villain in a sci-fi Netflix movie starring Jennifer Lopez. 

Simu Liu has reportedly been cast in a movie called Atlas, where he’ll play an AI soldier gone rogue who makes it his mission to destroy humanity in order to exterminate war, per Deadline. It looks like Lopez will be playing Atlas’ protagonist, who must work with another AI soldier in order to stop the villainous AI annihilating humanity. 

This Is Us actor Sterling K. Brown is also among the cast, perhaps as Lopez’s AI companion? Details are still thin regarding the Netflix movie, but it will be directed by San Andreas and Rampage filmmaker Brad Peyton from a script written by Locke & Key’s Aron Eli Coleite, who wrote up the latest draft of a screenplay written by Leo Sardarian.

Since Liu found super stardom with Shang-Chi, the actor has been signing on to a variety of roles that shows he’s interested in tackling a lot of different genres. His next movie is a romantic drama with Phillipa Soo called One True Loves. Additionally, Liu will star alongside Mark Wahlberg in a dog adventure called Arthur the King, and he's also part of Barbie’s massive cast, which includes talents like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera and Michael Cera. 

Along with those upcoming projects for Liu, he also published a memoir called We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story, which has become a New York Times bestseller and received kind words from big names like Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Munn. We also expect to see Simu Liu in a lot of Marvel movies moving forward, as Shang-Chi is among the most powerful new heroes who were introduced recently. With two Avengers movies on the way in 2025, it's a good bet he may help face off against Jonathan Majors’ Kang the Conqueror. 

The 33-year-old got his start in Hollywood as a stuntman in Pacific Rim and Heroes Reborn. Liu found his breakthrough role in Kim’s Convenience, a Canadian sitcom about a Korean family who runs a convenience store in Toronto. Now that he has proven to be a viable name in movies with Shang-Chi, it’s clear Hollywood is ready to give Liu opportunities for all kinds of roles including Atlas. While we wait for more details on Atlas, you can check out what upcoming Netflix movies are on the way next. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings tapped into various forms of martial arts for its epic battle sequences, and leading man Simu Liu got to show off his skills throughout the film. Of course, like many MCU stars, Liu had to audition for the title role, and given that it was action-heavy, you would expect the actor to go all out to impress Marvel, especially after Liu's reaction to joining the MCU. But it was quite the opposite for the Shang-Chi star, as he explained why downplayed his martial arts talents during his Marvel audition.

The MCU star revealed the secret while speaking with Kevin Hart on his Peacock talk show Hart to Heart. Hart asked Simu Liu if the story of him not knowing martial arts before taking on the Marvel role was true. In a vulnerable moment, Liu decided to be honest about his background in combat practice. The actor spilled how he downplayed his martial arts background to combat Hollywood stereotypes about Asian performers. As he put it:

Liu’s frame of mind wasn’t wrong considering how multiple Asian performers have been pigeonholed into doing action roles only, and the Barbie star didn’t want that to happen too early in his career. Given his background as a stunt performer, it seemed hard for him to downplay his marital arts skills, but Simu Liu wanted to be seen as an artist in the same vein as his Barbie co-star Ryan Gosling and not just another Asian action star. Liu continued:

At least the 33-year-old actor was aware enough to know Hollywood wouldn’t view him in the same light as Ryan Gosling if he came out showcasing all his skills at one time. He wanted to fight against the box the film industry tends to put Asian actors in. So Simu Liu wanted the same opportunities as other actors without any prejudice or preconceived notions. It was sad to know he had to lessen one personal aspect to preserve his acting career.

Despite Simu Liu downplaying his talents, he still felt his various skillsets were an asset to him. Liu admitted as a struggling actor he not only practiced martial arts, but took gymnastics and parkour classes in his quest to get his big break in the entertainment industry.

In the end, everything worked out, as Shang-Chi became a big enough hit to warrant a sequel, prompting a reaction from Liu following the Marvel sequel news. Following the Marvel movie's release, Simu Liu has multiple other projects lined up, including Arthur the King with Mark Wahlberg, as seen in a shirtless set photo. He will be seen next in Barbie on July 21, 2023, and he waxed for that movie to match Ken’s hairless appearance. In the meantime, you can watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings by subscribing to Disney+.

Avengers, assemble! After Avengers: Endgame, those words will never be the same again, because when Captain America dropped the phrase, a flood of major Marvel heroes all portaled in and joined a massive fight against Thanos to save the universe. Since that iconic scene, Phase 4 of the MCU has unfolded (with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever left to round it out later this year), and with it, a number of great Marvel heroes who would be a great fit for the next Avengers team. 

Phase 4 started with WandaVision at the top of last year, and between six feature films and seven live-action Disney+ series, we’ve met, or will soon meet, a ton of new heroes who should be considered for the Avengers in 2025’s Avengers: Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars, which were announced during this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. As we get ready for those back to back team-up films, here are the characters who should be part of it, ranked by their power levels. 

12. Kate Bishop 

Our only hero on the list without superpowers is Hailee Steinfeld’s Kate Bishop, who was introduced across six episodes of Hawkeye alongside the original Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner’s Clint Barton. The young hero proved herself to be quick with a bow and was mentored by the founding Avenger to take over the Hawkeye mantle. While she’s the least powerful of the new heroes introduced, she’d be a valuable addition to the Avengers in its next era. 

11. Ms. Marvel  

Kamala Khan already might have won best personality of the Phase 4 heroes, but when it comes to her readiness to defeat some big league villains, she’s not the first one we’d call, yet. The high schooler is rusty around the edges for now, but that being said, she might be the MCU’s first mutant, is able to shoot out crystal-like formations (allowing her to float in air) and can enlarge parts of her body in fights, not to mention has a family supporting her. Just wait til Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel shows her a few pointers in The Marvels. 

9 & 10. Moon Knight and Scarlet Scarab

Another pair of Marvel heroes you know about if you have a Disney+ subscription is Oscar Isaac’s Moon Knight and May Calamawy’s Scarlet Scarab, who were introduced earlier this year in the Moon Knight series. As the show showcased, Moon Knight has some incredible powers, including enhanced strength and healing abilities, as well as impressive fighting skills, despite struggling with dissociative identity disorder. Over the course of the series, we also met Scarlet Scarab, who has comparable abilities and can fly. The Avengers could use the power of Egyptian gods on their side. 

8. Black Knight 

Now this one hasn’t technically been all introduced yet, but there’s some major potential here, and there was definitely a tease hinting it happening in the future: Kit Harrington’s Black Knight from Eternals. In the movie, we’re introduced to Dane Whitman, who received his Ebony Blade during Eternals’ end credits scenes. Once he is transformed into the hero from Marvel Comics, Black Knight is a badass swordsman, martial artist with knowledge of magic and a straight-up genius.

7. Hercules 

During the one of the Thor: Love and Thunder end-credit scenes, it is revealed that Brett Goldstein is playing Hercules in the MCU. Yes, Hercules, as in Zeus’ son from Greek mythology, the latter who we met as played by Russell Crowe. While his introduction wasn’t a lot to go off of, in Marvel Comics, Hercules has served as an Avenger before. His godlike abilities, which include amazing strength and immortality, would make him another especially powerful recruit for the Avengers. However, Thor taking a shot as his dad knocks his reliability score a bit. 

6. She-Hulk

We haven’t quite met She-Hulk yet as of this article’s publish date, but Tatiana Maslany’s Jennifer Walters is about to open for business and get real green. When she does, she’ll be among the more powerful heroes introduced on Disney+. She-Hulk is the cousin of Bruce Banner, and in the comics, Jennifer inherits her abilities via blood transfusion Bruce gives her to save her life. In her green form, she’d be a major help to the Avengers, just as Mark Ruffalo’s Hulk was to the original lineup. Plus, it looks like she'll have support from Hulk as well. 

5. Shang-Chi

One of the strongest hero introductions in Phase 4 has been Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Shang-Chi is one of the more powerful characters on this list because not only because he's incredible at fighting, but also because he's now empowered by the Ten Rings, which gives him a range of superhuman abilities, like energy manipulation, firing the Rings as projectiles and moving them around as a means of transportation. Plus, it’s likely Awkwafina’s Katy Chen will join as well given where we left off with her in Shang-Chi. 

4. Namor The Sub-Mariner

So far, we’ve only seen Tenoch Huerta’s Namor in the emotional first Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer, but as comic book fans already know, he’s an especially capable hero in the Marvel Universe. Think of him as the MCU’s Aquaman. He has mutant/Atlantean physiology that allows him to live and breathe underwater along with possessing aquatic telepathy and echolocation, along with the bonus power of being able to fly. Don't mess with him!

3. America Chavez 

During Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, we met Xochitl Gomez’s America Chavez, a young hero with the distinct ability to travel to different universes. While she didn’t exactly know how to harness the power in Multiverse of Madness, through the arc of the film, she gained the ability to control it, making her perhaps the strongest young hero we’ve met in Phase 4. Because America's able to go to different worlds, her power creates infinite possibilities that could be incredibly helpful to the Avengers more than many of the others. 

2. Spectrum

After knowing Captain Marvel in her childhood, we caught up with Teyonah Parris’ Monica Rambeau in WandaVision, where she gained some insane abilities. Although she’s not fully formed as a hero just yet, the character goes by Spectrum in the comics and can transform, absorb and fire back any form of energy within the electromagnetic spectrum – including gamma rays, infrared radiation, microwaves, radio waves, ultraviolet radiation and so forth. Talk about some major power! She’ll be featured next in The Marvels. 

1. The Eternals

Although Eternals was the worst-received Marvel movie in a while, it introduced the most powerful forces that could be absolutely crucial to the upcoming threats coming the Avengers’ way. This is a team of heroes who have been around throughout much of Earth’s history, and each have incredible powers to show for it. Brian Tyree Henry’s Phastos in particular can create some incredible technological inventions, Makkari’s super speed is unmatched and Thena’s combat skills are top notch. Plus, during the Eternals end credits, Harry Styles’ Eros was introduced, who is the brother of Thanos. 

This is a solid roster of new heroes, and that’s without including the heroes who have previously been established in the MCU. Hopefully in the upcoming Marvel movies, including the two Avengers films, we’ll see these established characters team up together. 

If you followed the first season of What If…? last summer, you’ll likely remember one great highlight of the animated series – there was a story set in a universe where a zombie apocalypse infects the Avengers. Following that episode, Marvel announced they’d be exploring this idea further on Disney+ with the series Marvel Zombies. At Friday’s San Diego Comic-Con panel about all things Marvel Animation, attendees got a closer look at this upcoming show, and there are a ton of MCU favorites coming to the show. 

When CinemaBlend was in attendance at the first-ever SDCC Marvel Animation panel, the creators of the series announced the following Avengers will appear in Marvel Zombies in zombie form: cut-in-half Captain America, Abomination, Ghost from Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel, Scarlet Witch, Okoye, and Ikaris from Eternals. Fighting these zombies will be Black Widow’s Yelena Belova and Red Guardian, Shang-Chi, Awkwafina’s Katy and Death Dealer (both also from Shang-Chi), Hawkeye’s Kate Bishop, WandaVision’s Jimmy Woo and the MCU's latest hero, Ms. Marvel.

In the zombies episode from What If…?, the animated series teamed up Spider-Man, Wasp, Okoye, Hulk, Vision among other heroes in the alternate universe’s zombie apocalypse, which infected all kinds of enhanced characters. We had an elevation of zombie genre past the typical zombie, because these were super-powered zombies! Marvel Zombies is based on a comic series started in 2005 by The Walking Dead co-creator Robert Kirkman. 

Zombie Ikaris in particular looks like he’ll be a problem for these MCU characters to take on given he apparently cannot become a full zombie, per the creators. Ikaris debuted in the MCU this past November in Eternals, where the Superman-like being became the main villain of the movie. Additionally, the panelists shared a team of Widows and biker gang of Skrulls would be in Marvel Zombies as well. 

During the panel, it was also announced that Marvel Zombies would be the first Disney+ Marvel series to be rated TV-MA for all the extra blood and gore it will include. The series will premiere in 2024, alongside another upcoming Marvel series, Spider-Man: Freshman Year, which was also talked about during the panel, with word that Charlie Cox will reprise Daredevil for the series following his tenure in live-action in Netflix’s Daredevil (now on Disney+) and more recently made a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Marvel Zombies is even more exciting now that we know so many MCU favorites, especially those introduced more recently in Marvel's Phase 4, will be fighting zombies in the series as we also follow their live-action arcs in Marvel movies thus far and coming in the future. It wasn’t specified how much of these characters will be voiced by their live-action actors, but the series is in early development. As we learn more about upcoming Marvel projects we’ll keep you updated here on CinemaBlend. 

With the release of Thor: Love and Thunder last week and the conclusion of Ms. Marvel this week, we are six movies and seven TV series (that's counting the animated What If... ?) deep into Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While we’re not exactly sure whether every upcoming project we know about will be part of Phase Four or if some will become part of Phase Five, we're maybe only halfway through the first post-Infinity Saga phase. Regardless, Phase Four will certainly have more content in it than any phase before it. And yet, we’d all be hard pressed to describe what Phase Four is “about.” I find this to be one of the best things about the current MCU, but I feel like I’m the only one.

There seems to be a general feeling that the current MCU is unfocused, that we don’t really know where it’s going, and I would not disagree with that statement. While a few larger plotlines have clearly been introduced and will be dealt with in the future, most of the MCU stories recently have been very much their own thing. People seem to want to know when we’ll get the next Avengers movie, or at least see indications that one is coming, but I’m quite happy just getting more Marvel stuff that I enjoy watching. 

Phase Four Of The MCU Doesn’t Need To Be About Anything

It’s certainly true that the MCU's current phase has been all over the map as far as the stories we’ve been getting. We’ve seen a lot of origin stories for brand-new characters, like Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings or Eternals on the big screen, and the introduction of Kate Bishop in Hawkeye, Moon Knight and Ms. Marvel on the small screen.

Even movies we’ve seen for characters we already knew, while they have fleshed out those characters, don’t really give us an impression how they will fit into the larger tapestry of the MCU. Black Widow was a prequel story for a character who died and we don’t expect to see again. Thor: Love and Thunder sends the Asgardian into a very different direction that feels much more small scale and personal.

There have been hints of bigger stories. The multiverse is a thing now. Eternals ended on a sort of cliffhanger. Shang-Chi’s 10 rings have an unknown cosmic origin. Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is out recruiting potential heroes for… some reason (probably the Thunderbolts). All this stuff is happening and it will likely become important at some point, but which of these stories may become the core of a larger narrative, we have no idea. Some of these pieces may end up connecting to each other, but it's very difficult to see how right now.

But the truth is I don’t care. I don’t need or want Marvel movies to spend their time worrying about the future of the bigger storyline. All they need to do is tell interesting/fun/exciting stories now. For the most part, I think Phase Four has done that. We’ve seen creatively-told stories in WandaVision, as well as a diverse cast of brand new characters that will only add to the MCU as a whole. While some of the recent Marvel projects are obviously better than others, I would consider the vast majority of them good and a few absolutely great.

Most Phases Of The MCU Had No Specific Direction And Were Still Great 

We look back at what was retroactively called the Infinity Saga and we see a broad and cohesive story, an incredible achievement for a franchise that was more than 20 movies long. However, it’s important to realize that we only see that this all with the benefit of hindsight. The fact is that the first three phases of the MCU didn’t have as much of a focused direction as we now think.

Even the first phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe was really just a collection of origin story movies. The only real connections were made during post-credits scenes, and even they were just surface level nods. As the audience, we all knew that the plan was for all the heroes to come together in an Avengers movie, but the individual movies were never about that. No steps were taken to actually form the Avengers until we got to that movie.

Phase Two was even more all over the place. While we had the post-credits scene in The Avengers, the finale Phase One movie, telling us Thanos was coming, none of the movies that followed were about that. They introduced the concept of the Infinity Stones in a couple of the entries, and two of them featured Thanos, but there were more that had nothing to do with Infinity Stones. One of those was Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which is widely regarded as one of the best films in the entire franchise to this day, and you can skip it entirely and still make sense of Infinity War and Endgame. 

Marvel’s Wider Story Will Become Clear Soon Enough 

None of this is to say that I don’t love the Infinity Saga, It’s great. It’s an incredible achievement in cinematic storytelling and I’m excited to see what Marvel Studios is planning next. Assuming, of course, the company knows what it's planning. It's never been entirely clear just how much of the MCU is planned in advance versus how much is built as these movies are made.

It’s possible even Marvel doesn’t know exactly what is coming next. Many of the movies that we know are on the way still haven’t been written, never mind the stuff that is currently in the development phase. We're expecting to learn a lot more about the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe at the upcoming San Diego Comic-Con and D23.  

Even so, if Marvel is planning another long running storyline that will take 20 or more movies to complete (and with Disney+ now in the mix, it will likely be even bigger), then it will probably be some time before we even have a hint of what the next Infinity Saga-level story is. I look forward to it, but until then, I will simply look forward to the next movie or TV series. I hope it’s great all by itself. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings made Simu Liu a bonafide movie star. The superhero film gave audiences the wonderful friendship of Shang-Chi and Awkafina’s Katy, but there’s another friendship they might’ve missed. The Marvel film exposed the hilariously sarcastic friendship between Liu and The Daily Show’s Ronny Chieng. So it should be no surprise that the Shang-Chi actor took a shot at Chieng while thanking Ryan Reynolds and Olivia Munn for their kind book words.

Of course, the Kim’s Convenience alum dug up his infamous stock photos – this time, it was Zumba – to celebrate his memoir We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story making the New York Times Bestsellers list. In celebrating the momentous occasion, the stock photos popped on Liu’s Twitter as he thanked Olivia Munn and Ryan Reynolds for writing blurbs for his book. At the same time, he decided to take a nice swipe at his Shang-Chi co-star.

Ouch! That’s how you thank a friend for writing a book blurb for you. But Liu’s post was just a response to Chieng’s less-than-stellar words on the book jacket. Of course, it was in true Chieng fashion with his trademark sarcastic wit, so there’s nothing like getting a little online payback. Much like frenemies Reynolds and Hugh Jackman, the Shang-Chi co-stars are close enough to rib on each other.

Simu Liu and Ronny Chieng Have a Long History of Twitter Jabs

The Barbie star’s jab at his co-star and friend was nothing new, as the men have gone back and forth on and off-line for some time. Their internet “feud” goes back to 2017, when Simu Liu posted one of his thirsty shirtless pics. Immediately, Ronny Chieng jumped on Twitter to chastise the actor for not working hard enough for more abs. After Liu quipped Chieng was acting like an “unimpressed Asian father,” the Daily Show correspondent ended the funny thread, tweeting,

But Chieng wasn't the only one to get some jabs out. Simu Liu spearheaded the “Cancel Ronny Chieng” campaign after the comedian jokingly called for himself to be canceled after clapping back at online critics during his Netflix comedy special Speakeasy. The Shang-Chi actor wanted to help his friend get his wish by hopping onto Twitter.

Of course, the film and TV actor had no qualms about getting his co-star canceled. At least both actors have enough of a rapport to throw out jabs, quips, and inside jokes without it being mean-spirited. It appears their online back-and-forth is just their special form of communication.

If you want to relive all of Shang-Chi and Jon Jon’s best scenes, you can get a Disney+ subscription to watch Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The Shang-Chi sequel is also currently in development, so audiences might get more scenes featuring Liu and Chieng. In the meantime, there are a number of upcoming Marvel movies to occupy Marvel fans' time.

Simu Liu hit the Hollywood jackpot in 2019 when it was announced that he had been cast as Marvel’s Shang-Chi. Since the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the actor has already become a new fan-favorite in the MCU, with a Shang-Chi sequel now on the way and more appearances as the superhero to look forward to. Ahead of nabbing the role, Liu had the chance to play Spider-Man, but on a much smaller scale: kid’s birthday parties. 

Prior to Shang-Chi, Simu Liu actually went through many different jobs, from an accountant to a stock model and stunt man. But back to the Spider-Man parties, here’s how that time in his life went, per the actor: 

Yikes! It sounds like being a Spider-Man impersonator was not a glamorous job for Simu Liu. The Marvel hero spent the pandemic writing a memoir about his life thus far with We Were Dreamers: An Immigrant Superhero Origin Story, which is now available to buy on Amazon. While speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Liu touched on the section of the book where he talked about his not-so-friendly Spider-Man days. But don’t worry, it had its good moments too. In his words: 

While being a superhero in movies certainly has its big perks, being a superhero in the trenches of kid-filled birthday parties is much different. With Spider-Man specifically, the mystery aspect is something that these kids get a kick out of, as in their minds, Liu could have been the real Web-Slinger. 

We Were Dreamers tells Simu Liu’s story from his own perspective, shedding light on his upbringing as a Chinese Canadian immigrant, becoming a high-achieving kid, graduating from business school in 2011 and becoming an accountant for Deloitte. The only problem was it was a career he “hated,” and was eventually fired. Liu has since said he owes his life to the company firing him when it did because it led to his current success. Before catching his big break, Simu Liu was also a stock model, which fans have compiled evidence of, much to his own cringe. 

Simu Liu is currently filming the live-action Barbie movie, starring Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling from Lady Bird, which is being directed by Little Women filmmaker Greta Gerwig. Liu recently teased that he’ll be part of dance sequences in the film, which he has a background in and led to him nabbing the role. We don’t know which upcoming Marvel movie Liu’s Shang-Chi will show up in next, but we’ll keep you posted here on CinemaBlend. 

When the MCU first got its start, it was high on the brawn and low on the girl power. Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow doing a crotch-throat grab in a tight black leather getup and Natalie Portman, Hayley Atwell and Gwyneth Paltrow as supportive girlfriends on the sidelines to the big-league heroes was all there was amidst Marvel’s boys club. Since then, a ton more female Marvel characters have been introduced into the universe that are just as badass, clever and quick-witted as their male counterparts.

That being said, the walls are still stacked behind the women of Marvel leading their own solo movies. Out of the Marvel movies released so far, only 2019’s Captain Marvel, 2021’s Black Widow n and 2023’s The Marvels is all the leading girl power we’ve seen across 35 films.When taking a look at the upcoming Marvel movies, there isn’t a single female-led or female directed Marvel movie on the way . What’s up with that? And yet, there are so many incredible female Marvel characters who are deserving of their own film. Here are our picks:

Storm

One of the most powerful mutants not only in the X-Men movies so far, but, but in Marvel Comics as well has been Ororo Munroe, aka Storm. While Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp’s version were supporting characters with only a few standout moments in the X-Men franchise, there’s a lot more to her than what’s been explored. She’s actually the daughter of a princess in Kenya and a photojournalist father and was raised between Cairo, Egypt and Harlem, New York. Of course, she has the power to control the weather.

After Ororo was orphaned after her parents were killed in a plane crash, she was taken in by a thief in Egypt and trained by him to become a pickpocket. At some point in her origin story, she becomes worshipped as a goddess for using her powers with the droughts in the African desert. Ultimately she gets approached by Professor X and joins the X-Men, but she also once married Black Panther and became the leader of Wakanda, led the X-Men and worked directly with the Fantastic Four. She deserves a lot better than being on the sidelines. Oh, and Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo already wants to play her!

Spider-Gwen

By now, we’ve arguably seen too many Peter Parker / Spider-Man movies play out, so wouldn’t it be sweet to see a twist with Spider-Gwen leading a spinoff next time around? Spider-Gwen is a comic book character that began in 2015 that follows Gwen Stacy, who is famously Peter Parker’s ill-fated first girlfriend. Except it’s about her life in another universe where she is the one to get the spider bite and it’s Peter who dies in her arms. The character was of course explored as a Sony animated character in the Spider-Verse movies.

Now that the multiverse has been opened in the MCU, it would be exciting to see another version of the Spider-Man origin story through a live-action Spider-Gwen, who by the way has a super cool rock band called The Mary Janes. It’d be an especially great idea with Emma Stone and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Man, who he could accidentally meet (both from other universes) and have a love story across dimensions. I could also see actors like Yellowjackets’ Sophie Thatcher, Euphoria’s Hunter Schafer, House of the Dragon’s Milly Alcock or Wednesday’s Emma Myers playing a more age-accurate version of the comic book character.

Captain Carter

After Steve Rogers found his happy ending with Peggy Carter in Avengers: Endgame, Marvel has brought back Hayley Atwell as Captain Carter, an alternate version of Captain America where Peggy gets the super serum instead of Steve Rogers in the animated What If…? series and with a cameo in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Along with Anthony Mackie taking up the mantle in the new Avengers movies, it would be a blast to see Atwell’s version of Captain America in live action for longer than a single scene.

Let me remind you that Atwell’s Captain America character has long been a favorite, having a two-season run on ABC’s Agent Carter as well. And now that Chris Evans has hung up his shield, it’d be fun for the studio to take their What If idea to the big screen, perhaps as a multiverse spinoff storyline. With Robert Downey set to be Doctor Doom, I’d imagine the superhero team could use all the help they could get, but I’d watch an entire solo movie with Atwell back as the character. Even if it’s just an espionage film from the WWII days.

Scarlet Witch

Elizabeth Olsen’s Scarlet Witch is arguably the strongest Avenger in the MCU. The character has been featured in multiple Avengers films, the first Marvel Disney+ show WandaVision of course, and last time we saw her in 2022, she supposedly died in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.They also built on the world of witches in the MCU with last year’s Agatha All Along series, which was a rare and welcome MCU series with a dominantly female cast.

While one might think Marvel is done with her, given the Vision series is still on the way and Joe Locke confirmed to be her son, Billy Maximoff, I’d love to see a feature film with all eyes on one of the most wildly complex members of the Avengers.

Okoye

In 2018’s Black Panther, the vast world of Wakanda was introduced to audiences to stunning results. Since then, I’ve always loved seeing Danai Gurira’s Okoye, who started as the General of the Dora Milaje and even joined the Avengers for Infinity War and Endgame before the events of Black Panther 2 where she was stripped of her rank by Queen Ramonda.

While we previously heard in 2021 that she might get a TV spinoff that was debunked by Marvel exec Brad Winderbaum recently who said he didn’t think she would be in a TV show but fans will be “excited to come back,” but couldn’t “say where.” Clearly Marvel sees the potential for the character to thrive further, but I sincerely hope she gets to lead a project soon.

America Chavez

When Xochitl Gomez was cast as America Chavez for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, I definitely thought she’d have much more to do than she did, but hey, there was a lot going on in that movie. Last we left her, she was brought under the care of Wong to learn the mystic arts. When she spoke to CinemaBlend about her future back in 2022, she had hopes to get into America’s connection with Kang, but now that storyline has pivoted, I’m worried the MCU won’t know what to do with her.

Of course, given America’s powers to travel to different dimensions, she could easily star in her own coming-of-age adventure where she’s perhaps exploring the multiverse on a smaller scale than an Avengers flick, but I also hope she’ll be recruited to the new team, of course.

Valkyrie

Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie quickly became a fan-favorite when she appeared in Thor: Ragnarok and since then, Marvel has promoted the character to King of Asgard as Chris Hemsworth’s hero went down a rough road during the Infinity War, along with her return in Thor: Love and Thunder. But, I’d also follow the superheroine to other corners of the universe even without the God of Thunder.

While Tessa Thompson’s specific version was created for the movies, her origins tie in with the Secret Avengers and the Fearless Defenders with characters like Misty Knight, Danielle Moonstar and Elsa Bloodstone. She could definitely lead a team of ladies in her own flick.

Yelena Belova 

We waited way too long for the Black Widow solo movie and then when it came out Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova stole the show right under from Scarlett Johansson. The younger sister of Black Widow has an intriguing way forward in the MCU given she has the chance to be the hero the studio was somewhat still figuring out with her arc. Yelena recently helped free an army of Black Widow soldiers and could have her own espionage thriller within the universe.

Of course, Thunderbolts* seems to have her potentially taking center stage in the summer team up movie also involving Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, Taskmaster, Sentry, Ghost and Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, but I certainly wonder if the movie will truly give her a leading role and set up a future where she can be a key female member of the MCU.

The Wasp 

In 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, Michelle Pfeiffer’s Janet Van Dyne reunited with her family after thirty years stuck in the Quantum Realm. With that in mind, there are three decades of a missing timeline for the OG Wasp that could be a really interesting way for the MCU to explore the Quantum Realm itself.

It could play like a survivor movie where Janet finds herself in a mysterious place and learns to live in a reality where “all concepts of time and space become irrelevant as you shrink for all eternity” as Hank Pym has described it. We definitely got to see more of Janet Van Dyne in Quantumania, but I’d definitely be up for exploring more of Wasp’s life in the Quantum Realm.

Jessica Jones

Remember when Netflix made Marvel shows? Well, ever since Charlie Cox’s Daredevil made a cameo in Spider-Man: No Way Home, these characters belong to Disney/Marvel Studios now. And the Daredevil: Born Again series has made the return of more Netflix Marvel heroes feel more possible than ever. In addition to Cox’s Daredevil, Vincent D’Onofrio’s Wilson Fisk and Jon Bernthal’s Punisher entering the MCU, all the shows from the comic book universe Netflix explored are also now available to watch on Disney+ including Jessica Jones.

So technically, Jessica Jones could become part of the MCU, or at least have her own movie from the studio. Krysten Ritter’s character is a well-loved one who could continue her story on the big screen following the cancellation of her magnificent series. Plus, Ritter herself said she “one hundred percent would return” as Jessica Jones, citing that the character she spent five years on is “very important” to her and many fans.

So many ideas for the next female Marvel solo movie! We’ll have to wait and see which characters get movies next. Stay tuned here on CinemaBlend for more updates about the expanding MCU.

This past year, Marvel fans have seen Simu Liu and Kumail Nanjiani debut their superhero roles in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and Eternals, respectively. What we see on screen is the result of years of iron-pumping and strict dieting. So it’s not surprising that when these two got together they’d bond over the great food they love and don’t get to eat enough as big-screen stars. 

Last week, Simu Liu guest hosted The Kelly Clarkson Show and brought Kumail Nanjiani on the daytime show to hang out. During one segment, Liu brought out Nanjiani’s favorite dessert, and the pair straight up ate cake together. Take a look: 

That was a beautiful Marvel moment. Simu Liu set up the cake reveal by saying that he enjoys sharing culture. Kumail Nanjiani told Liu on the talk show that he loves pandan desserts, and the Shang-Chi star proceeded to bring out slices of pandan cake for the pair to enjoy. Liu said this as they enjoyed their cheat meal: 

Pandan is a tropical plant that is frequently used in Southeast Asian dishes, especially desserts because its fragrant taste is comparable to vanilla, but with a hint of bitterness. Simu Liu shared his love of boba tea with Kumail Nanjiani as well. While the actor sat together and ate some carbs, the Eternals actor said he was “so happy right now.” Liu said he wasn’t sure that Nanjiani would eat it since he’s so fit these days. Here’s how Nanjiani responded: 

Of course, he was on daytime TV, otherwise probably would have finished that sentence with a big f-bomb. Either way, it was simply delightful to see these two Marvel stars eating cake and sugary teas together months after their movies hit theaters. 

As Kumail Nanjiani shared, he’s not jumping into more Marvel movies, so he’s not as strict about what he eats at the moment. He already filmed his role in Obi-Wan Kenobi ahead of its release this May, and otherwise he doesn’t have anything else we know of he’d have to be buff for. Liu, however, just signed on for Barbie movie, so depending on whether he’ll be emulating the famed plastic dolls, he may want to stay in Shang-Chi shape.  

I think Simu Liu is on to something here with this great segment with Kumail Nanjiani. Here’s the pitch: he finds the absolute favorite dessert of more Marvel stars and eats it with them during an interview. That being said, being the host of that show might wain on his own fitness. 

Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings features two CGI dragons, known as the Great Protector and the Dweller-In-Darkness, duking it out in an epic final battle. Simu-Liu’s Shang-Chi and Awkwafina’s Katy ride around on the Great Protector in a sequence that looks so damn fun it puts the dragon-riding in Game Of Thrones to shame. Well, as it turns out, the two actors were actually able to ride on a life-size, moving dragon prop to shoot those scenes. And I am beyond jealous. 

I recently spoke with the Shang-Chi visual effects team and SFX Supervisor Dan Oliver said this about creating the physical beast:

Why isn’t this a ride at Disney Parks?! Web Slingers at California Adventure is fun and all, but honestly, I’d take the full-size moving water dragon. Simu Liu himself told us about the one prop he wanted to take from the set, and shockingly, it wasn't the dragon ride. Maybe it’ll end up at a Planet Hollywood and guests can take it for a spin while having a beer, you know, in Liu (pun intended) of a mechanical bull. But I’m getting way off-topic. 

Constructing a CGI dragon along with a physical ride is extra challenging due to the fact that it was unlike anything the Marvel Cinematic Universe had done before. Over the course of 13 years, we’ve seen a lot of fantastical nonsense in the franchise, but never a dragon. As WETA Digital VFX Supervisor Sean Walker explained:

It all paid off. The VFX work in the film was amazing, so much so that they were just nominated for an Academy Award. You can check out the rest of the nominees here. If you dug Shang-Chi as much as I did, you’re in luck, as there’s a sequel on the way. It’s little surprise given the box office performance, but that wasn’t the only reason Marvel wants more. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige explained that they’re excited to see what else director Destin Daniel Cretton is capable of, given that he’s chalked full of ideas. We recently did an interview with Destin if you want to take a glimpse into his mind. 

As for when you can expect Marvel’s upcoming slate of flicks, we’ve got this handy list. There’s no release date for Shang-Chi 2 as of yet, and it’ll likely be a while, as even Simu Liu is being kept in the dark. As more information comes to light, we will certainly keep you updated!

Whether you’re a dedicated part of the Harry Potter fandom or not, there’s a good chance that if you’ve read the books or seen the movies you have a few unanswered questions about the series stored in the back of your mind. The good news is, you’re not alone  – Simu Liu, of Shang-Chi and Legend of the Ten Rings fame, recently admitted to fans that there’s something that has always stumped him about the Potterverse. 

Since HBO Max’s Harry Potter Return to Hogwarts recently debuted, fans have been discussing the highlights of the special and the cinematic series as a whole. Leave it to Simu Liu, an undisputed master of Twitter, to enter the conversation and ask his own long-simmering unanswered question:

Rubeus Hagrid is one of the most beloved Wizarding World characters. Many memorable moments in the series feature the gamekeeper with a heart of gold towering over Hogwarts students, as he guides them toward magical moments. Fans have been especially in their feelings about Hagrid since Robbie Coltrane, the actor who played him, made a heart-wrenching observation in Return To Hogwarts. So it makes sense why he was on the Marvel star's mind. 

We know a lot about the character's backstory, including how he ended up as a permanent fixture at the legendary wizarding school. But the origins of his birth are a bit confusing. He was born to a giant mother and a wizard father. When you think about it, it is a little bit difficult to imagine how that worked out on a technical level (though you may not want to imagine it at all).  

Whether you’d rather remain blissfully unaware as to how exactly Hagrid’s parents got down or not, one Twitter user did propose a potential explanation. Here's what they had to say:

So there is at least one way Hagrid could have been conceived, which means Simu Liu and anyone else who ever wondered can now rest a little easier in knowing his very existence wasn’t a big plot hole. Now, I can’t help but wonder exactly how big of a Potterhead Liu is – the fact that he’s a half-giant is a detail that the average muggle has picked up on, and it may have even slipped by some casual readers or viewers. 

But maybe he’s a well-rounded pop culture aficionado. We already know his meme game is strong. And this isn’t the first time he’s tweeted something that reaches out across fandoms – when he announced that Shang-Chi was streaming on Disney+ last year, he made a funny reference to rumors about Spider-Man: No Way Home casting. 

If Liu is a big Potter fan, maybe he could negotiate a cameo in a future movie. That is, if he’s not too busy shooting the Shang-Chi sequel. Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is currently available on HBO Max. 

While the Marvel Cinematic Universe now encompasses TV, the movie side alone remains massive. Since the franchise began in 2008, 37 total feature films have been developed for the canon, and that’s very impressive, considering that this franchise began as nothing more than a pipe dream of Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige and co.. Those who’ve watched the Marvel movies in order can surely tell you that the reception to each film varies. A number of MCU installments are excellent, while others leave much to be desired.

So how does a fan stack up the cream up of the crop against the bottom of the barrel? With a ranking, of course! Two of CinemaBlend’s resident MCU fans have put together this ranking of every MCU movie to date. Our ranking ranges from Jon Favreau’s Iron Man to Matt Shakman’s The Fantastic Four: First Steps and, in time, the titles in our upcoming Marvel movies guide will join this list. So read on, true believers, and see how these various superhero flicks compare to each other!

37. Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania

Peyton Reed's Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania is a significant swing-and-miss. As the first film of Phase Five, the blockbuster was released in a position to get audiences excited and amped for the terror of Kang The Conqueror in the coming years as the new Thanos-level big bad, but the movie itself is terribly underwhelming. And, while this isn’t the most important element to consider, it also stands as a prime box office bomb for Marvel. With poor stakes, zero character development, a lot of telling instead of showing, and muddy visual effects, it's the worst MCU movie to date.

36. Thor: The Dark World

If Marvel Studios has had any one consistent issue with their films, it's that the villains for the most part have been small-time and forgettable. Perhaps the best example of this is featured in Alan Taylor's Thor: The Dark World, as Christopher Eccleston's Malekith never manages to get interesting, and it's a shame because the entire plot is dictated by his actions. The movie definitely has a solid, spectacle-driven third act, which helps elevate it out of last place, but the movie still can't really be called one of Marvel's best.

35. Captain America: Brave New World

Captain America: Brave New World dominated conversations ahead of its release due to reports of massive reshoots and other BTS changes. While Julius Onah’s film isn’t the worst installment in the MCU, it’s definitely disappointing. The movie, which is the first to be headlined by Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, is hampered by a lackluster story that’s heavily concerned with resolving plot threads from The Incredible Hulk. Some of the performances are strong, including Mackie’s and Harrison Ford’s turn as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross. There are also some cool action sequences and sweet character moments. Unfortunately, none of the positive elements can save this flick from its Red Hulk-sized issues.

34. The Incredible Hulk

While it didn't hit the bottom of our rankings, there definitely is a degree to which The Incredible Hulk is the forgotten sibling in the Marvel Cinematic Universe family. For years, the only actor from the movie to actually reprise their role in a second film was Robert Downey Jr. That’s changed now, though, as a number of Hulk characters return in 2025’s Captain America: Brave New World (with the results being mixed). Beyond that, though, the 2008 movie is really the only title in the catalogue that doesn't have the trademark tongue-in-cheek humor and sense of fun that has made Marvel so popular. It's not a bad movie, but the franchise would go on to do much better work.

33. Black Widow

Cate Shortland's Black Widow is a film hurt by multiple factors. Being released in the wake of Avengers: Endgame and the in-canon death of Scarlett Johansson's Natasha Romanoff, and featuring events that take place a good half decade before it, the film not only feels late to the punch, but has a difficult time establishing stakes. It's also hurt by the fact that it doesn't possess much of its own style, as it instead seems fine with echoing what worked in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. At the very least, it does provide some excitement for the future with the introduction of a number of key characters, including Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova.

32. Iron Man 2

When looked at from the macro perspective, Jon Favreau's Iron Man 2 serves as a key piece of the puzzle in building the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it has some great things going for it (the Monaco Historic Grand Prix sequence in particular is memorable and cool). All by its lonesome, however, it is a mess. Its plot is jumbled as a result of the movie trying to do way too much, it has a poor villain in Mickey Rourke's Whiplash and all of the different elements never properly fit together.

31. Thor

Given its origins in Norse mythology and a fantasy-esque element not really seen before in comic book movies, Kenneth Branagh's Thor was one of the first big risks that Marvel Studios took. That being said, it wound up paying off in a great way and established both Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston as bona fide stars. It strikes the perfect Marvel tone and introduces some great new ideas to the canon. It has flaws (the pacing is too fast and there's not enough exploration of Asgard), but it ultimately holds up.

30. Eternals

Chloé Zhao's Eternals is a Marvel blockbuster that bites off a bit more than it can chew with an ensemble cast of 10 brand-new heroes, but the film is one of the most beautiful chapters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and features some impressive themes about faith and purpose. It introduces an exciting cast of characters who still have great potential to further expand the cosmic side of the franchise, and even delivers an extra bonus by kicking off the journey of Dane Whitman a.k.a. Black Knight (Kit Harrington), whose MCU future remains unclear.

29. The Marvels

It’s hard not to ignore that part of The Marvels’ legacy is that it was the first true box office disappointment from Marvel Studios, but it’s far from the franchise’s worst film. In fact, it’s actually pretty fun. There is a well-balanced triumvirate between Brie Larson's Carol Danvers, Iman Vellani's Ms. Marvel, and Teyonah Parris' Monica Rambeau (with Vellani being the MVP), and both the swapping battle and the Flerkin attack count among some of the MCU’s most inventive set pieces. There are holes and lackings (as the focus on three heroes results in an antagonist lacking real substance), but the positives outweigh the negatives.

28. Ant-Man

Peyton Reed's Ant-Man works on a much smaller scale than many of the other titles in Phase Two of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and is a bit more straight-forward than you want it to be – but boy, is it a hell of a lot of fun. The 2015 movie succeeds by featuring a handful of fantastically entertaining performances and characters, with the most important piece of the puzzle being Paul Rudd, who has kept MCU fans greatly entertained in the years since.

27. Doctor Strange

From a visual standpoint, director Scott Derrickson's Doctor Strange is unlike anything audiences have ever seen. Interdimensional travel and magic create some absolutely gorgeous and bombastic set pieces that audiences will remember for a very long time, and the triumvirate of Benedict Cumberbatch (Dr. Strange), Tilda Swinton (The Ancient One), and Chiwetel Ejiofor (Mordo) is fantastic. Unfortunately it's all weighed down by a standard origin story and an underdeveloped villain, but it's definitely an exciting introduction for the would-be Sorcerer Supreme.

26. Avengers: Age Of Ultron

Joss Whedon carried some incredible weight bringing The Avengers: Age of Ultron to the big screen, working under immense pressure and scrutiny. While the final product isn't as good as its predecessor, it's still an impressive, epic blockbuster that honestly feels like a major Marvel Comics event brought to life. The stakes are big, some great new characters are introduced and it sets an interesting table for the events that transpire in Phase Three.

25. Captain Marvel

With Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck's Captain Marvel, audiences everywhere have the chance to meet one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and it's definitely one of the most exciting debuts we've seen thus far in this franchise. It is a bit dragged down by the familiar aspects of its origin story, but it also has a number of unexpected twists, and provides fans with is plenty of exciting new looks at the expanded continuity – such as events from the MCU in the 1990s, the Kree-Skrull War, and even a bit more of the Tesseract. Of course, at the center of it all is also a badass new protagonist who has tremendous potential for awesome cosmic and Earthbound stories in the future.

24. Thor: Love And Thunder

Taika Waititi gave himself quite a high bar to reach for with his sophomore Marvel Cinematic Universe effort, having made such a phenomenal splash with his first entry into the franchise. Thor: Love And Thunder isn't as strong as its predecessor in the Thor series, but it's an adventure that delivers plenty of big laughs and pushes the titular God of Thunder into terrific new territory. Christian Bale is brilliant as Gorr The God Butcher, and Russell Crowe's Zeus is an undeniable scene-stealer.

23. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

As will be discussed later, James Gunn totally changed the Marvel game with 2014's Guardians of the Galaxy but in doing so, set the most ridiculous of high bars for its sequel to reach. The bad news is that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 isn't quite as good as its predecessor, but the great news is that it's an incredibly fun intergalactic romp. It smartly sacrifices scope in favor of character, and it's a legitimate cinematic treat to see Star-Lord, Gamora, Drax, Rocket and Groot back up on the big screen.

22. Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings

Destin Daniel Cretton's Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is a movie that gets a bit tripped up when it tries to go too big – bringing characters into a mystical dimension full of beautiful and monstrous creatures – but it's really something else when it is focused on being small. The characters are absolutely wonderful, as Simu Liu instantly proves his star appeal in the lead role, and Awkwafina emerges as an amazing new sidekick in the MCU canon. What the film will always stand out for, however, is its action, as there are some stunning choreographed sequences in the movie that stand out as some of the best we've seen in the franchise.

21. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness

Truth be told, Sam Raimi's Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness doesn't fully live up to its title (in the sense that there really isn't a whole lot of multiversal madness), but it's a terrific ride. Benedict Cumberbatch continues his stellar run as the master of the mystic arts, and Xochitl Gomez is a sparkplug as newcomer America Chavez (one of several new, young MCU heroes). But the real showstopper is Elizabeth Olsen, who delivers an amazing villainous turn in the wake of the events that transpired in the Disney+ series WandaVision.

20. Deadpool & Wolverine

Shawn Levy's Deadpool & Wolverine is a landmark movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe for multiple reasons, as it is not just the first film in the canon to center on X-Men-related characters, but it's also the first to sport an R-rating. The movie puts both two spectacular work, with Ryan Reynolds delivering huge laughs reprising his role as the titular Merc with a Mouth and Hugh Jackman delivering incredible gravitas while returning to his most iconic role. The script is a bit of a mess, and calling the plot thin would be generous. However, most of what it's lacking is made up for with excellent surprises and a stellar jokes-per-minute rate.

19. Iron Man 3

Shane Black's Iron Man 3 is unquestionably the most underrated Marvel movie. While some audiences complained about the Mandarin twist and lack of Iron Man screentime, the other way to look at those two things is the power of the movie's ability to defy expectation, and the way in which it enriches Tony Stark as a character outside of his armor. It's a fun piece of noir storytelling, and a great comeback after the mediocre Iron Man 2.

18. Ant-Man And The Wasp

There is an argument to be made that first sequels in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have a specific advantage over their predecessors. After all, origin stories are essentially fixed expositional vehicles used to establish key characters; but once those introductions are made, what's left is the purely creative opportunity to craft a wholly original, specific story natural to those heroes. Peyton Reed's Ant-Man And The Wasp is a perfect example of this. The movie beautifully capitalizes on everything we loved about the first Ant-Man (Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly are genuinely perfect together), putting its wonderful ensemble through an expertly-molded comedic thrill ride in the vein of After Hours and Midnight Run – coming together as a romp that is hilarious from beginning to end.

17. The Fantastic Four: First Steps

For years, superhero aficionados waited for Marvel’s First Family to be featured in an MCU film, and that finally happened with the release of The Fantastic Four: First Steps. This glossy, retro-futuristic take on the FF is far different from other big-screen interpretations of the team, but it’s arguably the most comic book-accurate interpretation. Director Matt Shakman (of WandaVision fame) skips the origin story and introduces viewers to an established version of the team that must save their planet from the grim Galactus. Shakman’s direction is stellar as is Michael Giacchino’s score, but it’s the performances of the four leads, especially Vanessa Kirby, that make this movie worth the watch.

16. Spider-Man: Far From Home

Being the first Marvel Studios film released in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, Jon Watts' Spider-Man: Far From Home ironically found itself in a position of great responsibility within the franchise, but it succeeds both in being high-flying fun and impressive superhero storytelling. The villain twist isn't all that great (as every comic book fan saw the heel turn from Jake Gyllenhaal's Mysterio coming). However, the way in which they brought the Master of Illusion to the big screen is remarkable, and the third act showdown is blockbuster gold. It also needs to be said that the movie features arguably the most exciting credit scenes since the first Iron Man.

15. Captain America: The First Avenger

Landing right in the heart of this list is Joe Johnston's Captain America: The First Avenger: another origin story, but one that takes the audience back in time to the days of World War II. There is a rightful complaint in that the third act of the film doesn't have quite the punch of Marvel's better titles, but it's also one of the studio's best introductory tales, and features some perfect performances from both Chris Evans and Hayley Atwell (performances that would completely change their individual careers).

14. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Ryan Coogler was given a staggering and unfair challenge in the making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The loss of Chadwick Boseman was a devastating emotional blow to the filmmakers and co-stars who worked with him, and Coogler had to change all of his plans for the blockbuster – and make it a movie that would honor the memory of his friend. The result is simultaneously a somber tribute and an action epic, and it features both brilliant performances from returning stars Letitia Wright, Angela Bassett, Danai Guirira and Lupita Nyong'o as well as a brilliant introduction to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for Tenoch Huerta's Namor.

13. Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts* had the misfortune of releasing during a time at which a number of fans felt MCU fatigue. Luckily, the film is an excellent addition to the canon, thanks to the keen direction of Jake Schreier. A classic “man-on-a-mission” story, Schreier’s film assembles the antiheroes of the MCU for an action-packed, funny and sweet tale that also serves as a meditation on depression. The practical action sequences are quite impressive (including Florence Pugh’s dive off the world’s second tallest building) as are performances from the likes of Pugh, David Harbour and MCU newcomer Lewis Pullman, who plays the all-powerful Bob (or Sentry). Some may have been able to predict the New Avengers title reveal at the end of the film, but that doesn't take away from the movie’s status as one of the most important films of the Multiverse Saga.

12. Thor: Ragnarok

The Thor movies have never been one of Marvel's strongest series – as evidenced by their rankings on this list. That's why Marvel had director Taika Waititi rebrand the whole thing with Thor: Ragnarok, and the results are fantastic. The tone is not only much lighter than its predecessors, resulting in one of the funniest titles in the franchise to date, but the character work is just phenomenal. It's the most compelling arc we've seen for Chris Hemsworth's God of Thunder, Mark Ruffalo is phenomenal as a Hulk who can finally have a conversation, and their thrust together in one of Marvel's most vibrant and fun adventures.

11. Spider-Man: Homecoming

As a big screen character, Spider-Man was at big risk of reboot fatigue going into Jon Watts' Spider-Man: Homecoming, but nothing dissipates audience apprehension quite like quality – and boy, did this one bring it. In his second Marvel Cinematic Universe appearance, Tom Holland perfects both being Peter Parker and the wall-crawler, and the film succeeds by actively differentiating itself from anything that's come before, skipping the overdone origin story and fully embracing the new movie's position in MCU continuity with a strong supporting role for Robert Downey Jr.'s Tony Stark. It's a crazy fun adventure, full of youthful energy that gets us excited for the web-slinger's franchise future.

10. Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3

James Gunn has never been shy about expressing his love for Rocket as a character, and with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, he developed a powerful, emotional, beautiful and fun blockbuster that has the diminutive hero as its center. Endings are always difficult in fiction, but Vol. 3 is a conclusion that is both wholly original and best utilizes everything that is great about the MCU series. It doesn't quite reach the mile-high bar set by the first Guardians of the Galaxy, but it's both a worthy sequel and among Marvel's best sequels to date.

9. Iron Man

Jon Favreau's Iron Man, of course, was the film that kicked off the Marvel Cinematic Universe but, while that's a significant feat, it's only part of the larger reason why we have it ranked so high. It's also the film that brought the amazing Robert Downey Jr. back to us, the actor doing his part to create what has become a truly iconic character, and the movie in and of itself is a fantastic story of redemption and facing down demons. It's a superhero blockbuster that will go down in history – which makes it actually kind of impressive on Marvel's part that it's only number five on our list.

8. The Avengers

Marvel's Phase One films are, on the whole, enjoyable pieces of entertainment, but Joss Whedon's The Avengers was when the Marvel Cinematic Universe truly became the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only one of the greatest event movies of all time, it also beautifully, dazzlingly, and unexpectedly delivers on a four-year-long promise of bringing some of comics' greatest heroes together on the big screen for the first time ever. For the longest time, the whole thing just seemed like an impossible dream, but Whedon and Marvel delivered in the biggest way imaginable, and it's a finished product that can be rewatched endlessly with enjoyment.

7. Black Panther

After 10 years of establishing the expansive roster of heroes in the franchise, you'd think that Marvel Studios would have started struggling to create effective introductory solo films by 2018. The truth, however, is that they'll keep being successful so long as they continue to hire filmmakers with vision, and that's exactly what they did, bringing in writer/director Ryan Coogler to make Black Panther. The movie is not only a remarkable exercise in world-building – introducing audiences to the remarkable land of Wakanda – but it also very much has something important to say, and it says it compellingly. The narrative regarding the African nation's relationship with the rest of the planet is impressively sophisticated in a blockbuster package, and Michael B. Jordan's Erik Killmonger, equipped with understandable and powerful ideology, is arguably Marvel's greatest villain to date.

6. Spider-Man: No Way Home

One of the consistently phenomenal things about the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the franchise's capacity to regularly go the extra mile and accomplish things on the big screen that fans only previously dreamed were possible. It's in this respect that Jon Watts' Spider-Man: No Way Home feels more like a fantasy than a hit blockbuster, as it features everything that a fan of the titular wall-crawler could want. It unfolds a spectacular adventure that does a head-first dive into the multiverse, and ultimately proves to be an amazing capstone for an MCU trilogy that serves as an expansive origin story for Tom Holland's Peter Parker.

5. Avengers: Infinity War

To paraphrase Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, Joe and Anthony Russo's Avengers: Infinity War was built on the idea of it being the capstone for every Marvel Cinematic Universe film that preceded it. A full decade was spent watching Infinity Stones be revealed, and Thanos being teased, and it seemed like there was just far too much pressure on the blockbuster for it to actually be any good. Boy, did they prove us wrong. Finally getting his time in the spotlight, the Mad Titan proves to be an absolutely terrifying force of nature, and the film is filled with too many shocking, disturbing and amazing moments to count. It's in every way the movie fans were promised.

4. Captain America: The Winter Soldier

For Phase Two, Marvel Studios made a point of not just making superhero movies, but making complex genre films that happen to feature superheroes. For Captain America: The Winter Soldier, directors Joe and Anthony Russo infused the blockbuster with the structure and spirit of a 1970s conspiracy thriller, and the result is absolutely stunning. No other feature in the Marvel Cinematic Universe features fight choreography that is as visceral, and the character dynamics between Cap, Black Widow and Falcon are thoughtful, unique, and fun.

3. Guardians Of The Galaxy

James Gunn's Guardians of the Galaxy is a legitimately special movie. Only tangentially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film is unlike any comic book feature we've seen – even in the modern era – and has everything a person could want from a summer blockbuster. It's hilarious, with not just star Chris Pratt getting fantastic laugh-out-loud lines; it's action-packed, with a third-act spectacle that will boggle the mind; and it's even emotional, creating amazing bonds between characters. It stood as Marvel's best work for a couple years... but then 2016 rolled around.

2. Captain America: Civil War

As ridiculously huge as the first two Avengers blockbusters were, directors Joe and Anthony Russo somehow managed to up the ante even further with Captain America: Civil War. The third Captain America movie is shockingly emotional (particularly in the showdown between Cap and Iron Man), stunningly action packed (the Leipzig Halle Airport fight is among the best we've ever seen), and gives us some amazing new characters in Spider-Man and Black Panther. It's spectacularly crafted storytelling with a real gut-punch ending, and to date the best film in the MCU.

1. Avengers: Endgame

Joe and Anthony Russo's Avengers: Endgame is a film that really shouldn't be as phenomenal as it is. It should be impossible to make a blockbuster that is able to perfectly capitalize on the 21 blockbusters in the series that preceded it. And yet that's exactly what this movie does. It starts with the fallout from Avengers: Infinity War, with the surviving heroes picking up the pieces of their lives following their battle with Thanos and massive defeat, but where it goes from there coalesces as one of the most bombastic, jaw-dropping and remarkable big screen experiences we've ever seen. It may not technically be the end of Phase Three, but it's still the perfect ending for the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

37 movies is a lot, but there are always more on the way – and the next title that’s set to hit the big screen is the highly anticipated Spider-Man: Brand New Day, which is directed by Shang-Chi’s Destin Daniel Cretton. And, after the web-slinger has his day, Earth's Mightiest Heroes will come back together to take on Doctor Doom in Avengers: Doomsday. Be sure to keep an eye out for forthcoming MCU titles and, to stream all of the films in this massive franchise, grab a Disney+ subscription.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is growing in some new and exciting ways, and 2021 alone is evidence of that. One of the most exciting movies that was added to the MCU canon this year is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film not only provided audiences with plenty of action, humor and comic book goodness, but it also served as a watershed moment for Asian representation. Director Destin Daniel Cretton was very aware of what his film could mean to certain groups of people, and he recently explained to us how his own Asian American upbringing helped to bring a level of authenticity to the film. 

Destin Daniel Cretton had a major task ahead of him after he signed on for the movie. He had to introduce a classic character to non-comic book-reading audiences and honor the character’s history. Of course, he also wanted to accurately represent the richness of Asian culture. CinemaBlend’s own Law Sharma recently caught up with Cretton to mark the home release of Shang-Chi. During their chat, the Short Term 12 filmmaker reflected on his childhood in Hawaii and revealed that its mixture of cultures played a big role in shaping his cinematic eye: 

What the director drives home here is that Asian culture, like others, is not a monolith. Within it, people have different experiences, and this was beautifully portrayed in the Marvel film. Black Panther director Ryan Coogler managed to do something similar when he compared and contrasted the cultures of African and African American people in his own superhero epic. Just as Coogler leaned on Africa and its culture for inspiration both in front of and behind the camera, Destin Daniel Cretton did the same with China when it came to his movie. Cretton continued:

It’s been encouraging to see that the MCU is finally opening the floodgates and bringing in prominent characters from different ethnic backgrounds. When it comes to Asian representation, characters like Gemma Chan’s Sersi from Eternals and Jacob Batalon’s Ned Leeds from the Spider-Man franchise have been inspiring to see. And of course, Shang-Chi’s Simu Liu is also breaking down barriers and kicking some butt as does it.

At present, Destin Daniel Cretton is set to helm a sequel and tackle a spinoff series for Disney+. He hasn’t said too much in the way of specifics, but he did tell us the one star he would like to cast in the follow-up. The filmmaker simply knocked it out of the park on his first go-around, and it’ll be cool to see how he continues to expand on this rich corner of the cinematic universe. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now available on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD and can also be streamed on Disney+.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings finally provided the Asian-American community a spotlight as a first for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Alongside Simu Liu becoming the first Asian big-screen superhero for the franchise, its director and a majority of the cast brought representation to the forefront with its casting, such as with stars like Awkwafina, Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh. With a Shang-Chi sequel now on the way, it’s time to think about what Asian legends should join the MCU, and director Destin Daniel Cretton just dropped the perfect idea. 

CinemaBlend’s own Law Sharma spoke with the Shang-Chi director now that the film is available to stream on Disney+, rent and own on Blu-Ray. Destin Daniel Cretton said the following when asked what legendary Asian actor he’d like to cast in the upcoming sequel: 

Now that’s the GOAT right there. During the interview, Law Sharma proclaimed that we should all put that grand idea out into the universe, and Destin Daniel Cretton was all for it, continuing with this: 

It’s safe to say Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings may not have been possible without the action star status of Jackie Chan before it. The Hong Kong actor first became a star in his home country before finding an abundant career in Hollywood from the ‘90s to the present day. Chan is, of course, well known for starring in hits like Rush Hour, Shanghai Noon and The Karate Kid remake. The actor really helped bring Hong Kong Action cinema to Hollywood following Bruce Lee’s own Hollywood breakthrough back in the ‘70s. 

Only so many actors have had the chance to break Hollywood barriers and lead Hollywood action films like Jackie Chan did, and undoubtedly the director and Simu Liu were influenced and inspired by Jackie Chan’s legacy. Liu even played tribute to Chan on the set of Shang-Chi with a specific move he pulled during the incredible city bus sequence early in the film.  

It would be amazing to see Jackie Chan be part of the Shang-Chi sequel, which was confirmed to be in the works last week with Destin Daniel Cretton once again directing. Chan has yet to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but these days, the 67-year-old is not really making American films like he used to. Last year, Chan shared that he is trying not to “repeat” himself and be seen as more than just an action star with his more recent roles. 

If the Shang-Chi director finds a really great part for Jackie Chan in the Marvel sequel, and the actor took the role, there would be no better way to bring his career full circle. Obviously we here at CinemaBlend will let you know if this happens.

In a world where it’s unlikely to see a Marvel movie fail, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was set up for success, but man, did it blow expectations out of the water. A Marvel hero who was nearly unknown to many became the highest grossing domestic release of the year, outperforming Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eternals and Black Widow. In turn, it was recently announced that a Shang-Chi sequel is on the way and will once again be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Simu Liu’s reaction to this news is actually perfect. 

The 32-year-old actor went from being a star of an underrated Canadian sitcom called Kim’s Convienence to the global name and Marvel superhero he is now with the release of Shang-Chi. When the actor walked the red carpet of Spider-Man: No Way Home, he was asked about his first reaction to officially being a recurring Marvel character. In his words to Comicbook’s Brandon Davis: 

Simu Liu has definitely felt the hype surrounding Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings since it was released in September. The movie made $432 million worldwide in the pandemic era, and seriously impressed the critics and audiences alike. As Liu shared just a week following the announcement, he wasn’t surprised, but he’s definitely excited to keep on keeping on as the Marvel hero. 

When Marvel introduces a major hero in his own standalone movie, typically there’s a plan to expand the role past one movie. The only time we haven’t seen a sequel spawn from a solo movie is 2008’s The Incredible Hulk, and that was the second MCU movie, at a time when the studio was still figuring it all out. The character rights issues with Universal has also played a big role with how Hulk has been used in the MCU.

Plus, the ending of Shang-Chi blatantly teases more from Simu Liu’s superhero. At the end, he is paid a visit by Benedict Wong’s Wong, who takes him and Awkwafina’s Katy into a portal to meet Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel to discuss how his rings emit a peculiar signal. It’s safe to say that whatever is brewing in the MCU next will include Simu Liu’s hero, including through an upcoming sequel. 

That being said, it could be some time before the next Shang-Chi movie enters our eyeballs. The Marvel movies calendar is packed with scheduled titles until 2023 currently, but as Phase Four continues to unfold, we'll learn more about Shang-Chi 2's development. While we wait, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is streaming on Disney+, and the next Marvel film, Spider-Man: No Way Home, is hitting theaters this Friday. 

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings more than proved to be a worthy entry in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Not only did the film introduce fans to an exciting new hero, but it also cracked open a new corner of the interconnected world. One of the key elements of this corner of the MCU is the Ten Rings organization, which, as revealed in the film's post-credits scene, is still alive and well. However, it now has a new leader in the form of Meng'er Zhang’s Xu Xialing, the sister of the titular protagonist. Now, Zhang is opening up about what it was like to actually film the cool scene that closed out the movie. 

Many were likely surprised when they learned that the ancient organization, founded by Wenwu (Shang-Chi and Xialing’s father), would carry on. And it should make for some interesting drama down the road. When speaking with CinemaBlend’s own Eric Eisenberg ahead of the Marvel movie’s home release, Meng’er Zhang couldn’t speak too much to the future. However, her comments on her approach to the final scene could be an indication of what we can expect from her character as she settles into her new position: 

The actress definitely looked like a boss when sitting on that throne and delegating tasks within her new organization. Considering her thoughts on her character, it makes sense that she would want to seize control following her father’s death. For years, the skilled young woman was shut out of the Ten Rings, though she managed to forge a path for herself as a successful businesswoman. Now, she’s definitely put her own stamp on the ancient group that lingered in the background of the MCU for years. 

Of course, fans now have to wonder how Simu Liu’s leading hero, who was under the impression that the group was being dismantled, is going to react to the news. As many know, he has strong feelings about his dad’s former dealings, so he likely won’t be pleased. This could effectively drive another wedge between him and his sister, who were starting to rebuild their relationship by the end of his first solo movie.

The Ten Rings organization made its first appearance in the MCU in 2008’s Iron Man, in which a sector of the group kidnapped Tony Stark. The villains’ brand would later be co-opted in Iron Man 3 but, by Shang-Chi, it had been totally reclaimed. The group’s future currently seems bright, as they could appear in a number of future Marvel productions. Additionally, Meng’er Zhang, during her interview with us, also shared an idea she has for her character’s future.

It’ll be interesting to see what Xialing plans to do with her new position. And whether her intentions are good or evil, they’ll surely shape the cinematic universe as a whole in one way or another.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now available to stream on Disney+ and will arrive on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD on November 30th.

By the very, very end of Destin Daniel Cretton’s Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, Meng’er Zhang’s Xialing is left in a position of very real power. With her father (Tony Leung’s Wenwu) having died, she takes on the responsibility of becoming the new leader of the Ten Rings organization – quickly molding it according to her personal philosophy. It suggests very exciting things are ahead for the character, and while we don’t know right now what Marvel’s actual plans are, the actor has an excellent idea for what she would like to do in the future.

With Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings now making its way to the home video market, I had the pleasure of interviewing Meng’er Zhang today about her experience making the film, and it was at the very end of our conversation that the conversation pivoted to what’s ahead. Without asking for a legitimate peek into what’s being discussed behind closed doors, I asked her where she would like to take Xialing next, and her pitch is stellar: she wants to make a play for the actual Ten Rings. She explained,

What Meng’er Zhang is thinking certainly makes a hell of a lot of sense. It was because he possessed the ancient and powerful Ten Rings that Wenwu was able to build an empire over the course of thousands of years, and their significance is heralded in the organization’s name. On a strictly logical level, it makes all kinds of sense that the Ten Rings would belong to the leader of the Ten Rings.

Of course, there is an obvious problem, and it concerns the fact that Wenwu bequeathed the weapons to someone else before he died – namely Xailing’s brother, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu). It’s because of those rings that the titular hero of the Marvel blockbuster is going to be able to operate on the same playing field as the Avengers, so he’s unlikely going to want to give them up; plus, he did rightfully inherit them.

The idea of Meng’er Zhang making a play for the Ten Rings sounds great – and it doesn’t even need to be a violent or physical confrontation with her sibling. Maybe she can hire She-Hulk to represent her in a lawsuit against her brother, opening the door to Shang-Chi hiring Matt Murdock a.k.a. Daredevil as his attorney (this, of course, is just silly speculation… but why not, right?)

The final message of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings states that the Ten Rings will return – and while we’re still waiting for more clarification regarding what that means, for now fans everywhere can rewatch the 2021 Marvel blockbuster to their heart’s content. In addition to being available for purchase digitally from online retailers including Amazon, the film is also now streaming on Disney+. Physical media collectors will be able to find the 4K, Blu-ray, and DVD editions in stores on November 30.

To take a look at what is set to come out from the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the coming years, including on the big screen and the small, read our Upcoming Marvel Movies and Upcoming Marvel TV guides.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings finally made its debut back in September, and the superhero flick did not disappoint. It delivered on action, humor, emotional stakes and Marvel Cinematic Universe goodness. The film also gifted us with one of the franchise’s most compelling villains, Wenwu -- a.k.a. the Mandarin. Played beautifully by the great Tony Leung, the ancient warlord proved to be a cerebral, dangerous and tragic figure. The character met his ultimate fate in the movie’s bombastic third act, but there are still opportunities for him to appear in future Marvel movies and TV shows. 

To refresh your memory, Wenwu sacrificed himself to save his son, Shang-Chi, from the Dweller-in-Darkness. He also passed on his legendary ten rings in the process of doing so. Still, the deceased Mandarin’s history (and some other rising developments in the cinematic universe) could allow him to return. So let’s take a look at the Marvel TV shows and movies in which he can resurface: 

Eternals

The next MCU installment to hit the big screen is Chloé Zhao’s Eternals, and it’s already shaping up to be quite different from past films in the franchise. One of the biggest reasons for this is that it takes place over thousands of years. With this, fans will be able to see the literal formation of the Marvel Universe as we know it. This also means audiences could see the titular extraterrestrials cross paths with some historical figures -- like Wenwu. 

Shang-Chi established that the villain discovered his powerful weapons thousands of years ago. After doing so, he founded the Ten Rings organization and proceeded to conquer kingdoms and topple governments for centuries. It’s entirely possible that the Eternals could’ve witnessed some of his brutal acts at some point in history. Though of course, given their directives from the Celestials, they couldn’t actually interfere with them. It would be an absolute treat to see the ancient character show up in the cosmic epic. Not only would it be a cool scene, but it would also serve as a sweet piece of connective tissue. 

What If...?

The first season of Marvel’s What If…? wrapped up just a little while ago, and fans seem mostly pleased by the studio’s first animated venture. The show delivered on its promise of reshaping some of the franchise’s biggest moments, which resulted in a number of entertaining stories. The format also allowed the show to bring in countless variants of characters we’ve come to know like Peggy Carter and Doctor Strange. Season 2 is reportedly set to open the floodgates even further, as Phase Four concepts are said to be included. This theoretically means Shang-Chi and his world are fair game.

The animated series could be the perfect way to bring back the Mandarin. With an entire multiverse in play, fans could see variations of the character. So there could be an iteration of him that actually turns out to be a hero or, if we want to go even crazier, one that became an intergalactic conqueror. This may sound wild, but it’s definitely not impossible when it comes to this show. And if he does indeed appear, let’s hope that Tony Leung would return to voice him.

Loki

Before What If…? threw audiences head first into the multiverse, Loki set the pieces in motion for the plethora of alternate universes. The God of Mischief hopped into a number of unusual locales, which allowed him to cross paths with some unexpected faces. Based on the finale, Season 2 is only going to get wilder, especially with Kang the Conqueror now in play. But amid his further adventures, could the titular character run into some more familiar characters?

It may sound a bit far-fatched, but Loki could somehow run into a character like Wenwu during his travels through the multiverse. He could find himself in a reality where the Ten Rings actually rule the earth, with the Mandarin more powerful than ever. While it’s a longshot, I really would like to see it happen. And even if it doesn’t, I’m sure there could at least be some kind of Easter egg, not unlike the many viewers saw in “Journey into Mystery.” 

Blade

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a habit of retroactively adding characters, and this is sure to be the case when it comes to Blade. In the comics, vampires have been around for years, and the same will likely be true for the interconnected TV and film franchise. Details on the Daywalker’s upcoming film are scarce, but it wouldn’t be surprising if the movie showed off a brief history of the immortal bloodsuckers. And given their long lifespan, the Ten Rings could have encountered them at some point. 

Again, this is where Wenwu’s immortality works in his favor. He easily could’ve come face to face with an actual vampire at some point in his life. And honestly, the thought of such a face-off is just too exciting to dismiss outright. A flashback featuring the Mandarin (which could simply just be a pipe dream on my part) would be a great action sequence to kick off the film. I probably sound crazy at this point but, hey, wilder things have happened in the MCU, right?

Shang-Chi 2

Of course, the most likely landing spot for Wenwu comeback would be a Shang-Chi sequel. It’s true that Marvel Studios has yet to officially announce a follow-up at this point. However, the movie’s box office receipts could mean that one may be on the way. The character’s absence would loom large over the project and, even with a new antagonist, the Mandarin would likely still be on fans’ minds. Nevertheless, there are a few ways the fantastic villain can be brought back. 

The most obvious way to revive him would be through the use of a flashback. There’s a lot to the character’s story and more of it could be revealed through scenes that take place prior to the first movie. He could also return in a dream sequence, which, if done in a certain way, could be more chilling than comforting for his son or even his daughter, Xialing. And with magic being such a massive part of this corner of the MCU, he could even make a post-mortem appearance as a spirit of sorts. A plot point like that would need to be earned and, if it were to happen down the line, I’m sure the writers could find a logical way to make it work within the confines of the story being told.

Marvel Studios seems to understand how special a character Wenwu is, so one can only hope they choose to revisit him in the future. Simply put, there’s a lot to like about him and, I mean, who wouldn’t want more of Tony Leung?

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is still playing in theaters and, on November 12, it’ll be available to stream on Disney+, where you can also watch the Marvel movies in order. 

Warning: SPOILERS for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings are ahead!

Seven year after we learned in the All Hail the King One-Shot that there really was a Mandarin lurking in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we finally met him earlier this month in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Tony Leung’s performance as the antagonist, a.k.a. Xu Wenwu, has been among the most praised elements of the latest MCU movie, though sadly for fans of the character, he was killed off during the final battle. But is this truly the last we’ve seen of him? If a surfaced rumor is correct, not necessarily.

During the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings overview episode of the They Call Us Bruce podcast, journalist Jeff Yang delivered the following cryptic comment while giving his closing thoughts on the movie:

So from what Jeff Yang has heard, we’ll be seeing more of Tony Leung’s Wenwu in the MCU. Should that indeed be the case, he’s right that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings didn’t make it clear at all he’ll resurface. During the movie’s third act, upon realizing he’d made a huge mistake allowing the Dweller-in-Darkness to escape its confinement in Ta-Lo, Wenwu sacrificed his life to save Shang-Chi’s life from the soul-consuming creature, bequeathing the mystical ten rings to his son in the process. By the end of the movie, there was no indication that he’d miraculously survived or been resurrected; it seemed as though Shang-Chi was a one-and-done affair for the true Mandarin.

Still, this is the MCU we’re talking about; while characters coming back to life doesn’t happen nearly as often as it does in the comics, it’s nonetheless plausible that a future MCU project could resurrect Wenwu, with a hypothetical Shang-Chi 2 obviously being the most logical place for that to happen. However, there is another option to be considered. Because of the ten rings, Wenwu stayed alive for at least a millennium, if not longer so perhaps Tony Leung’s future appearances as the character will take place in the past. For example, the soon-to-be-introduced Eternals have been on Earth for over 7,000 years, so perhaps one of the glimpses into the far past in their upcoming movie will include a Wenwu cameo.

For now, there’s no official word on if we’ll see Tony Leung as Wenwu in the MCU again, but if that changes, we’ll let you know. As far as the overall Shang-Chi corner of this franchise goes, it was made abundantly clear that we’ll be seeing both Simu Liu’s character and the Ten Rings organization again. Where that will be, we can’t say for sure just yet, but given how critically and commercially successful Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has been, it’s a reasonable bet that Shang-Chi 2 will be greenlit.

For now, our upcoming Marvel movies guide is available for those of you curious what this superhero franchise is sending to the silver screen, or head to our upcoming Marvel TV shows guide to discover what originals are premiering on Disney+.

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After being delayed more than a year, the film side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe finally launched this past July with the release of Black Widow in both theaters and on Disney+ Premier Access. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings followed two months later, but unlike Scarlett Johansson’s solo outing as Natasha Romanoff, Simu Liu’s MCU debut was released exclusively in theaters. However, we finally know when Shang-Chi will become available to stream on Disney+, and it’s not too far off.

On Friday, November 12, The Walt Disney Company will hold Disney+ Day, which commemorates the second anniversary of the Mouse House’s streaming service launching. Among the goodies that subscribers can look forward to is Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hitting Disney+, and it’ll be available to everyone signed up on the platform, as opposed to just being on the Premier Access tier (if you’re not signed up, rectify that with this link). Shang-Chi’s Disney+ arrival will be accompanied by Jungle Cruise becoming available to all subscribers following its run on Premier Access, as well as the premiere of Home Sweet Home Alone, among many other things.

It was decided back in May that like the Ryan Reynolds-led Free Guy, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings would premiere exclusively in theaters, though only for 45 days, which looks like it’s becoming the new theatrical window norm. Still, it was previously unclear whether Shang-Chi would come to Disney+ shortly after its window had lapsed or if it would be held for several months later. Now we know it’ll arrive on the streaming service about a month after those initial 45 days are up, and a little over two months after it first started playing on the big screen.

Taking into account how the pandemic continues to affect the theatrical industry, Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings has had an impressive commercial run so far. At the time of this writing, the Marvel feature starring Simu Liu as the eponymous protagonist has collected over $320 million worldwide, making it the sixth highest-grossing movie of 2021 (it’s sandwiched between Black Widow at $377.6 million and A Quiet Place Part II at $297.4 million). On the critical front, Shang-Chi has been met with mostly positive reviews, ranking at 92% among critics on Rotten Tomatoes.

Following Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ box office success, Disney decided that the next MCU movie, Eternals, will also be play exclusively in theaters for 45 days, starting on November 5. Whether it will come to Disney+ in the same time frame as Shang-Chi did. As for the future of Simu Liu’s character in the MCU, while Shang-Chi 2 hasn’t been officially announced yet, given the movie’s success and this superhero franchise’s track record with sequels, it stands to reason will get another entry in this film series.

After Eternals drops inNovember, the MCU will continue on December 17 with the release of Spider-Man: No Way Home. Our upcoming Marvel movies guide is available for those of you wondering what will come out in 2022 and beyond, and you’re also welcome to look through our upcoming Marvel TV shows guide to see what small screen MCU offerings are heading to Disney+.

Warning: SPOILERS are ahead for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings!

It’s been over two weeks since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings premiered exclusively in theaters, and the movie has had an outstanding critical and commercial run so far. So while Marvel Studios hasn’t officially announced Shang-Chi 2 yet, it stands to reason we’ll be seeing more of Simu Liu’s character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially given what unfolded in the mid and post-credits scenes. Naturally though, it’ll be a while until we learn what the sequel has in store, but the first Shang-Chi movie may have laid the groundwork for another famous Marvel martial artist to be brought in: Danny Rand, a.k.a. Iron Fist.

Of course, Iron Fist has already gotten some live-action attention in recent years from his Netflix series, although that wasn’t nearly as well received as the likes of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and The Punisher. Still, Danny Rand remains an important superhero within Marvel lore, and now that Shang-Chi has been established as an important player in the MCU, let’s go over how his first cinematic adventure paves the way for Iron Fist to possibly take part in the sequel.

How Shang-Chi Set Up Iron Fist

At the start of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, we learn that Shang-Chi’s father, Wenwu, a.k.a. The Mandarin, met his wife, Ying Li, in the latter’s village within Ta Lo, which exists as a separate dimension in another corner of the multiverse. Decades later, Shang-Chi, his sister Xialing and his friend Katy make their way to Tan Lo, where they meet Ying Nan, Shang-Chi and Xialing’s aunt, Ying Nan. Among the things that we learn during this trip to Tan Lo is there are other cities in this dimensions. Why not have K’un Lun be one of these cities?

In Marvel Comics lore, K’un Lun is the mystical city located within a pocket dimension that’s accessible through the Kunlun Mountains in Tibet. Danny Rand’s father, Wendell Rand, found K’un Lun as a boy, and when he became an adult, he organized an expedition back there, bringing along his wife Heather, his son Danny and business partner Harold Meachum. Unfortunately, Harold’s treachery resulted in Wendell and Heather dying, but young Danny was saved by archers guarding K’un Lun and was brought to the city. Over the next decade, Danny trained to become a skilled martial artist and obtained the power of the iron fist by defeating a dragon named Shou-Lao the Undying. Hey, look at that! Not only does K’un Lun have the kind of mystical vibe making it a perfect fit for Tan Lo, it also has its own dragon, just like Yin Nan’s village does.

How Shang-Chi 2 Could Use Iron Fist

Now that we’ve established a hypothetical scenario where K’un Lun exists within the MCU’s Ta Lo dimension, it’s easy enough to insert Iron Fist into the Shang-Chi 2 picture. One option is that Shang-Chi meets Danny Rand during a journey to K’un Lun for some unknown reason, and in this scenario, Danny has yet to return to our reality. So whenever it becomes necessary to return to Earth, Shang-Chi can bring Danny back with him, and this would give Danny his first taste of our world in at least a decade, if not longer.

Another option is that Danny Rand already made his way back to Earth ahead of the events of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and so they run into each other while on separate out in the “real world.” If we embark down this creative route, then we don’t get to see Danny as the proverbial ‘fish out of water,’ but it can still serve as an origin story of sorts. Maybe he’s been using his powers in secret, or perhaps has turned his back on being the Iron Fist, but his time with Shang-Chi convinces him to fully embrace becoming a superhero. As for what kind of adversary these two would face together, I’d be game for them clashing with someone like Master Khan or Crane Mother.

Of course, which of these two options is ultimately chosen depends on which version of Iron Fist we’d be getting in Shang-Chi 2, which brings us to the final section.

Which Iron Fist Should Shang-Chi 2 Use?

As I mentioned earlier, Netflix’s Iron Fist series was not a critical darling, and Finn Jones’ portrayal of Danny Rand was among the show’s most critiqued aspects. Nevertheless, because it remains murky whether or not Marvel’s Netflix shows are being kept within the main MCU continuity, there is a scenario where the Iron Fist who starred in his own series, The Defenders miniseries and an episode of Luke Cage Season 2 is the one who appears in Shang-Chi 2. And even if the Netflix continuity is being shifted to another reality, it’s possible Jones could still reprise Danny, albeit a different version of him. After all, it’s been rumored that Charlie Cox is reprising Matt Murdock/Daredevil in Spider-Man: No Way Home, but this won’t be the same Matt we watched over in the Netflix-verse.

However, given how much baggage live-action Iron Fist is already dealing with, it’s probably for the best that we wipe the slate clean and bring in a new actor to play the character. This provides much-needed distance from the character’s prior depiction, as well as allow the Shang-Chi 2 filmmakers, and the MCU as a whole, to reinterpret the character in a way that better fits the direction the MCU movies and Disney+ shows are going. This likely means we would have to go over Danny’s origins again, but his backstory is still a far cry from being as common knowledge to the general public as someone like Batman or Spider-Man, so it’s not unreasonable. Oh, and the best reason of all to start fresh on Iron Fist? We can finally give him the cinematic costume he deserves. Still, the key with featuring Iron Fist in Shang-Chi 2 is that he doesn’t overshadow the main protagonist. His role should be something akin to how Falcon and Black Widow were used in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

Naturally this is all just speculation; perhaps now that Shang-Chi has been added to the MCU mythology, Marvel doesn’t feel a need to include Iron Fist. Or maybe Iron Fist will simply be introduced to the MCU elsewhere, be it in another movie or a Disney+ series like Moon Knight or She-Hulk. Either way, we’ll let you know if Marvel Studios announces any plans for the character, as well as if the company makes it official that Shang-Chi 2 is moving forward.

In the meantime, keep up to date with what this superhero franchise has coming down the creative pipeline with our Marvel movies guide and Marvel TV shows guide.

SPOILER WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for the ending of Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. If you have not yet seen the film proceed at your own risk!

End credits sequences have long been a wonderful part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe experience. In addition to regularly being fun and entertaining, they also have a long history of sewing seeds to get audiences hyped about what's to come in the future. The most recent release to captivate us in this way is Destin Daniel Cretton's Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, which features both mid-credits and post-credits scenes – and actor Florian Munteanu recently discussed his thoughts on the latter in an interview.

Florian Munteanu plays henchman-turned-good guy Razorfist in Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings, and during a recent interview with ComicBookMovie he was asked about the very last moment in the blockbuster – which sees him back at the Ten Rings compound and serving under a new master: Meng'er Zhang's Xialing. Discussing the implications of the moment, the actor said,

There isn't a great deal to the Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings post-credits, but what's featured could wind up becoming a big thing in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the sequence, Xialing is in her room at the Ten Rings compound when Razorfist arrives at her door to summon her. As the new leader of the organization leaves her room and takes her seat in her father's throne, it's shown that women are now training alongside men, and that Xialing has begun to make progressive changes. The scene ends with an on-screen message that says "The Ten Rings Will Return."

The question that lingers is in regard to when and how the Ten Rings will return. The most logical answer is that they will be featured in Shang-Chi 2, but that project has not been announced yet (despite multiple weeks of success at the box office). But that isn't the only possibility. Based on the popularity of the film and the characters, one can't rule out the possibility that the criminal organization will get its own Disney+ series at some point. Marvel Studios hasn't made any post-2023 announcements recently beyond carving out some big screen release dates, so we'll just have to play the wait-and-see game for now.

Starring Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, and Tony Leung, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is now playing exclusively in theaters around the world, and will soon become the biggest domestic hit of 2021 thus far. Check it out on the big screen if you haven't already, and if you're curious about what's to come from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, be sure to check out both our Upcoming Marvel Movies guide, and our Upcoming Marvel TV Shows guide.

In the last 13 years, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has familiarized audiences with all varieties of magical and alien treasures, and that is a particular legacy that is very much continued in Destin Daniel Cretton’s Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings. The new movie reveals not only the history of the group known as the Ten Rings (which was first introduced in Jon Favreau’s Iron Man), but also puts the magical bands that inspired the organization’s name front and center. First possessed by Wenwu and then transferred over to the titular hero at the end of the blockbuster, the bracelets possess immense power, and it seems very likely that we are going to be seeing them used on the big screen for many years to come.

This in mind, we figured it would be an appropriate thing to build a guide for fans examining everything that we know about the Ten Rings. Where do they come from, what can they do, and how have we seen them used? We answer all of those questions and more in this feature, so read on! (Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings spoilers ahead!)

The Origins Of The Ten Rings, And What They Can Do

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings doesn’t waste any time introducing its titular mystical weapons. The movie begins a thousand years in the past when Tony Leung’s Wenwu first discovers them, and throughout the adventure we learn more about their origins and uses.

The Ten Rings Were Possibly Found In A Crater Or A Tomb

The most information we get about the Ten Rings in Shang-Chi is delivered both at the very beginning of the film, and during the movie’s mid-credit sequence. It’s noted in voice-over narration by Fala Chen’s Li that Wenwu found them at some point during the late 18th/ early 19th century in either a crater or a tomb. When analyzed by Wong, Dr. Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers, the precise nature of the Rings can’t be determined (a pretty big deal considering they are experts in all things magical, scientific, and alien), though they do come to the realization that there is some kind of beacon inside of them that is calling out to a mysterious party.

The Possessor Gains Eternal Life

Easily one of the most impressive benefits of wearing the Ten Rings is the fact that they seem to halt the aging process and stave off all kinds of disease. One should also note that the Rings don’t simply hold back the effects of nature and time either, as Wenwu is able to remove them after centuries of use when he begins a family with Li and it doesn’t cause him to either rapidly age or leave him with a defenseless immune system.

They Enhance One’s Strength, Speed, And Agility

The possessor of the Ten Rings sports them on their forearms, and while they can do some pretty impressive things while being actively controlled (we’ll get to that in a moment), they also do plenty while seemingly inert. While they are powerful weapons, they also increase an individual’s natural abilities, including strength, speed, and agility.

They Can Be Projected And Recalled

When the Ten Rings are worn, the wearer seems to create a kind of psychic bond with them, because they respond to mental commands. When the owner wants them to shoot off their wrist and have them become projectiles, all that seemingly must be done is for said owner to think it happening.

They Can Be Whipped Around, Bound By Energy

The Ten Rings can apparently be controlled individually when they are thrown, but they can also be bound together by some kind of energy. This lets them function akin to a whip-like weapon, with control coming from the owner’s hands.

They Can Boost Leaps

Flying is not an ability that is put on the table by the Ten Rings, but there is the next best thing: they can let an individual make leaps through the air across long distances. This is kind of a part of their projectile capacity, and a user can fire the Ten Rings off their forearms a short distance behind them, and ride the propulsion wave that is created as a result.

Biggest And Best Uses Of The Ten Rings

Between being used by both Shang-Chi’s villain and hero, we get to see the Ten Rings utilized in a number of amazing and impressive ways, and looking into the future we expect that the list of the biggest and best uses of them will only continue to grow.

Wenwu Uses Them To Shield Arrows

While the Ten Rings are primarily used for offence in Shang-Chi, their very first usage in the movie is in a defensive capacity. As Wenwu leads an army to storm a compound, he is able to whip around the bands and use the energy that links them to deflect a wave of arrows that are shot at him by hundreds of archers.

Wenwu Lives For A Thousand Years

It’s never specifically said exactly how old Wenwu gets to be thanks to the power of the Ten Rings, but it is confirmed in Shang-Chi that he experiences a full millennia between birth and death. That’s a hell of a long time to be alive, but he’s clearly a character who deals with such an existence pretty well psychologically.

Wenwu Jumps Across Water To The Dragon Scale Barrier

When Wenwu arrives in Ta-Lo, accomplishing his mission of trying to save his wife requires getting to the dragon scale barrier she is behind, and said barrier is separated from the border village by a large body of water. This isn’t actually any kind of obstacle at all for him, though, as he is able to use the Ten Rings to launch himself over to his destination with just a thought and a flick of his wrists.

Wenwu Uses The Rings To Shatter A Barrier Made Of Dragon Scales

It’s established in Shang-Chi that dragon scales are an immensely powerful material, as they are used to keep the Dweller In Darkness at bay for a great amount of time. When Wenwu wants to get through the barrier, however, that proves to be a surprisingly easy feat thanks to the Ten Rings. More than a few blasts are needed to take the wall down, but ultimately it’s still pretty impressive how quickly the job is accomplished.

Shang-Chi Uses The Rings To Kill The Dweller In Darkness

Shang-Chi only takes possession of the Ten Rings at the very end of his solo movie, as Wenwu transfers ownership of them shortly before his soul is eaten in the third act battle, but it doesn’t take long at all for the hero to put them to good use. Demonstrating a quick understanding of how the bands work, he is able to embed the rings in the Dweller in Darkness’ chest, and then proceeds to pull them back in such a way that the giant monster is killed.

If you’re excited to see the Ten Rings in action again, Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is now playing in theaters everywhere. To learn about all of the feature films coming up from Marvel Studios, be sure to check out our Upcoming Marvel Movies guide and our Upcoming Marvel TV guide.

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The MCU has been at the height of pop culture for over a decade, with the studio showing no signs of slowing down. The latest release is Destin Daniel Cretton’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which has been breaking records at the box office. And one producer recently shared Marvel’s secret for building a full cinematic universe.

When the Marvel Cinematic Universe was first conceived, the idea of serialized storytelling was a a major gamble. Obviously it’s one that paid off, with producer Jonathan Schwartz working on a number of beloved properties like Guardians of the Galaxy, Captain Marvel, and Shang-Chi. He spoke to CinemaBlend’s own Sean O’Connell the process of crafting a story in this world of crossovers, sharing:

There you have it. While the MCU is known for mid-credits scenes that set up future installments, it's also key not to assume a sequel is happening. This type of attitude seemingly helped to energize Shang-Chi, although the movie’s success seems to all but guarantee that another solo flick is coming.

Jonathan Schwartz’s comments come from an interview with Sean O’Connell about all things Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He was able to peel back the curtain on what it’s like working within the MCU, especially when introducing a slew of new characters to the massive franchise. Luckily those efforts really paid off with Simu Liu’s badass new hero.

The MCU has found its streaming home on Disney+. You can use this link to sign up for the streaming service.

Obviously all filmmakers hope to create a good movie that people want to see. But considering how many superhero properties are out there, there is definitely a certain pressure associated with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Luckily the studio seems to be a well-oiled machine at this point, with every single installment in Phase Three being a critical and box office success.

While Shang-Chi told a capsulated story, it certainly had ties to the greater Marvel Cinematic Universe. In addition to featuring the real Mandarin and an appearance by Wong and The Abomination, the mid-credits scene featured some thrilling crossover moments. And as such, Simu Liu’s new hero will likely play a major role in the battles to come.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters now. Be sure to check out the 2021 movie release dates to plan your next movie experience.

Major spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings lie ahead.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has finally arrived, and it not only brought a new hero to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it also revealed more about a group fans have known for years. I’m, of course, speaking about the Ten Rings organization, which was first introduced in 2008’s Iron Man. However, this time around, viewers learned the history of the group and its true leader, the enigmatic Wenwu (a.k.a. Shang-Chi’s dad). By the end of the film, the ancient group was left in an interesting position, and it could lead to them popping up in some future MCU projects.

During the film’s third act, Wenwu sacrifices himself to save his son, leaving the fate of the Ten Rings immediately clear. The titular hero is later under the impression that his sister, Xialing, is dismantling their father’s operation but, as revealed in the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings post-credits scene, she’s actually taken control of the organization and rebranded it. Whether the former fight club owner has altruistic reasons for doing so is unknown right now but, regardless, her new group could still play a major role down the line. So let’s talk out the Marvel where the group could show up next:

Armor Wars

The Don Cheadle-led Armor Wars is one of the many Marvel TV shows that’ll be heading to Disney+ in the near future. Like the comic book story arc it’s based on, the series will explore what happens when Tony Stark’s Iron Man technology falls into the wrong hands. It’s incredibly possible that the Ten Rings could be one of the groups that ends up snagging Stark’s tech, especially considering their reach in this cinematic universe. Narratively, such a development would actually make for a nice bit of irony. In Iron Man, a sect of the Ten Rings captured Stark because they wanted his missile technology, so how wild would it be for the group to actually obtain his armor specs years later?

Ironheart

Riri Williams’ first solo adventure in the MCU would be another prime opportunity for an appearance from the Ten Rings. At this time, a villain has yet to be confirmed for Ironheart, but it’s entirely possible that Williams could come into conflict with a sect of the organization during her adventures. Their presence on the show could definitely make things exciting and, from a narrative perspective, a brawl with the group would make for a perfect demonstration of the armored heroes skills. And of course, given the group’s history with Riri’s predecessor, their appearance in her show would serve as somewhat of a full-circle moment.

Captain America 4

While it hasn’t been officially announced by Marvel Studios yet, Captain America 4 is reportedly moving forward, with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson in the lead. The former Falcon has had his fair share of run-ins with terrorist groups, so it would be wild to think he wouldn’t find himself facing down members of Xialing’s organization. Then again, he could also face off with a separate branch. Regardless, such a scene could possibly have an energy that matches Wilson’s explosive battle with LAF at the start of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Let’s hope the new Sentinel of Liberty gets to trade punches with the Ten Rings one of these days.

What If…?

Marvel's What If…? is still airing its first season on Disney+, but the powers that be have already have plans for the future. Marvel Studios head honcho Kevin Feige has confirmed that Season 2 will incorporate elements from Marvel Phase 4 movies and TV shows. So we could very well see a variation of the Ten Rings appear on the show down the line. And given the madcap nature of the animated series, the storytelling possibilities are endless. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Watcher eventually takes viewers to a reality in which Shang-Chi never left his father and the organization behind.

Eternals

MCU fans will finally meet the Eternals in less than two months and, with that, viewers will get a sense of how the ancient cosmic beings “guided” humanity along over the years. As we learned in Shang-Chi, Wenwu (with the help of the ten rings) lived for thousands of years, conquering new territories as the centuries passed. With this, it’s possible that one or a few of the Eternals could’ve crossed paths with him and his syndicate at some point in the past. It may seem like a long shot, but who’s to say the god-like heroes didn’t witness some of Wenwu’s heinous acts.

Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania

Some may have forgotten, but the organization actually managed to rear their ugly heads during 2015’s Ant-Man. When Darren Cross met with potential buyers for the Yellowjacket suit, one of the men present happened to be sporting a Ten Rings tattoo on his neck. Ultimately, when the chaos began to ensue, he escaped along with the other buyers. On the surface, this may have just seemed like a simple easter egg, but it could be resolved in Quantumania. While we do know the film will feature a big bad in Kang the Conqueror, it wouldn’t be crazy to think that at least one part of the group is still looking to nab the particles.

Blade

At long last, the Daywalker is finally making his way to the MCU, opening up a new corner of the cinematic franchise in the process. Though Blade is sure to face off with bigger supernatural threats in his big-screen return, the Ten Rings could be one of them. Not unlike the shapeshifting Skrulls, Daywalkers (half-vampires) can insert themselves into different levels of society. So it wouldn’t be crazy to think that there couldn’t be a rogue vampire among the Ten Rings’ ranks. Or on the other hand, considering how Blade’s adventures can vary, there’s always the chance that Mahershala Ali’s character comes into conflict with Xialing and her operation in a different way.

Shang-Chi 2

A Shang-Chi sequel has not been confirmed at this point but, given its strong performance at the box office, it’s only a matter of time before Marvel Studios puts it in motion. Of the aforementioned movies and TV shows, this movie is where another Ten Rings appearance is most guaranteed. And it’s likely that Shang-Chi isn’t going to be too thrilled when he learns that Xialing is still operating out of their father’s compound. The potential strife between the two siblings would be difficult to watch, especially considering what they just went through. Still, it would make for some great storytelling.

The future of the Ten Rings is bright (and morally ambiguous), and fans should definitely expect to see more of them in some form or fashion moving forward. Keep an eye out for news on a Shang-Chi sequel and, if you can, check out Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in theaters now.

SPOILERS are ahead for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

A new hero has arrived. Since the release of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, we’ve been drifting off thinking about how Simu Liu’s Marvel character could play a larger role in the expansive universe he is part of, and it’s time to talk through our early ideas. Usually before a superhero like Shang-Chi becomes part of the Avengers, he’ll be seen in a team-up capacity in another film or something along those lines, and there’s a ton of characters we could see him fighting alongside.

After getting to know Shang-Chi in his solo movie, we learned that he’s a larger-than-life martial artist with a dark past to sift through and has a bright future ahead. And by the end of The Legend of the Ten Rings, Awkwafina’s Katy is likely to be by his side going forward, but there are some other Marvel heroes we want to see him get to know better.

The Hulk

Shang-Chi briefly met Mark Ruffalo’s Bruce Banner as a hologram at the end of his movie, and let me tell you, we missed the green superhero to pieces. Because Shang-Chi is such a capable fighter, it would be interesting to see Shang-Chi matched up with the Hulk should the latter lose control of his alter ego again. Shang-Chi is a super capable hand-to-hand combat fighter, and perhaps he could employ pressure points on Hulk instead of the other more destructive ways the Avengers have attempted to contain him. On the flip side, he’d be a good match to Bruce Banner because of the different worlds they come from.

Captain Marvel

The other hero Shang-Chi met in his movie, thanks to Wong, was Captain Marvel. This hero would be a great one for him to team up with for a few reasons. For one, she’s another recent hero we’ve seen get an origin story. Interestingly enough, Carol Danvers now one of the older Avengers, so she’d have a lot of wisdom to throw the way of a newbie hero like Shang-Chi. Additionally, behind the scenes, Shang-Chi's director, Destin Daniel Cretton, has worked with Brie Larson on two other projects: Short Term 12 and The Glass Castle. They’ve created some awe-inspiring work together, and seeing how they work in the MCU, perhaps in a Shang-Chi sequel would be killer and full circle for Larson.

Spider-Man

You just know Shang-Chi and Spider-Man would really get along. Both of these characters have dealt with some serious childhood trauma that made them feel like they didn’t belong as a kid, and they’re kind of self-made heroes who were just regular people, living quite unextraordinary lives prior to tapping into each of their abilities. The pair have shared the same pages in the comics a number of times, but we could definitely see these two having a blast together fighting alongside each other or just kicking it back, should their paths cross.

Doctor Strange

By association of meeting Wong, it seems only a matter of time before Shang-Chi meets Doctor Strange as well in the MCU. The spell-casting hero is set to have a major role in the universe with the multiverse opening and all. We’d really like to see Stephen Strange and Shang-Chi’s fates align because their two distinct worlds would mix in a really exciting way. There’s the mysticism of the Sorcerer Supreme and the magical elements of the world that the Ten Rings and Simu Liu’s character come from that would be mind-blowing together.

Daredevil

Now here’s a long shot, but hey, we can dream! Daredevil is not currently part of the MCU, as the last time Marvel fans got to see Matt Murdock was on Netflix through the cancelled, but groundbreaking series starring Charlie Cox. If Disney ever does decide to bring back the character, it’s going to be difficult to top that rendition of the character. (Many fans believe Murdock will in fact be back for Spider-Man: No Way Home.) Whether that happens or not, Daredevil is a skilled hand-to-hand combat fighter like Shang-Chi, and it would be fun to see them cross paths.

Sam Wilson

Following The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Anthony Mackie is the new Captain America. As such, we’d imagine the character will become a major leader in the MCU. Sam Wilson has always been a great hero to team up with others like Ant-Man and Winter Soldier. Now we’d imagine that he and Shang-Chi would not only get along, but be incredibly engaging to see fight on the same side. They’d be in awe of each other. Sam Wilson has a Captain America solo movie on the way just as Shang-Chi is coming up in the MCU.

Iron Fist

Here’s another Marvel character who is not part of the main MCU continuity, but we’d love to see Shang-Chi team up someday. Iron Fist is quite similar to Shang-Chi, as he too is a practitioner in martial arts and he wields some serious magic, but in the form of the “iron fist.” The character doesn’t have a great track record as of late considering his critically underwhelming Netflix series, but should Marvel decide to reboot the character for the MCU, a connection with Shang-Chi would be our first point of interest.

Moon Knight

An exciting upcoming hero introduction coming soon to the MCU via Disney+ is the Moon Knight TV show starring Oscar Isaac. Just as Shang-Chi’s origin story operates in some mystical places, like the world of Ta Lo, Moon Knight will be about a character, Marc Spector, who gains superhuman abilities from the Egyptian moon god Khonshu. We expect this series to be a dark tale that brings a truly unique hero into the MCU. Combining Moon Knight with another one-of-a-kind hero like Shang-Chi is cloudy for the time being since we haven’t officially met Isaac’s hero, but it's an enticing combo.

There are a lot of exciting Marvel team-up ideas here. Which is your favorite? Vote in the poll below and check out the upcoming slate of Marvel movies right here on CinemaBlend.

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe is still bouncing back following the events of Avengers: Endgame, but with each move that's followed, we've gotten a better idea of what the world is like in Phase 4. New heroes have emerged out on the scene, and some older heroes have gotten increased roles with the torch passed to them. This was more relevant than ever in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, where we saw Doctor Strange's partner and confidant Wong in a position of power.

Given his latest appearance and what we saw in it, I think it's high time we acknowledge Wong as the current MVPs of the MCU. This guy has been quietly in the background for years in the MCU, and now it finally seems he'll get a chance to step to the forefront and lead a new generation of heroes. Wong will likely, and perhaps always has been, one of the best in the MCU fold, and after a brief evaluation of the facts, it isn't hard to see why.

He's Had A Tremendous Glow-Up From His Comic Book Days

Back when Wong was first introduced in Marvel Comics, he was known as Doctor Strange's manservant. What is a manservant, you ask? It's basically a more demeaning way to refer to a butler, and obviously not the way the MCU wanted to re-introduce Wong when they brought Doctor Strange to theaters (though mistakes were made in other decisions with Strange's first movie).

Fast forward to now, Wong is seen as an equal to Doctor Strange in many ways. While he may not have quite the magical abilities of Stephen Strange, Wong has proven he's a formidable magic user and someone to keep the Sorcerer Supreme in check whenever he gets a bit too full of himself. Of course, it remains to be seen whether or not Wong's completely effective at keeping Strange in check, given the events shown in the trailer for Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Even if Strange won't listen, it's clear from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings that Wong has reached a place of great respect against other Marvel heroes. I mean, who would've thought back when he was first introduced Wong could hold a meeting with both Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner? I certainly wasn't expecting anything like that, and I am excited to see just how many others Wong is connected to in the MCU.

He's Had A Lot Of Marvel Appearances And More On The Way

Some Marvel characters are held to their main franchise and that's about it. That hasn't been the case for Wong, who has not only been in Doctor Strange, but also Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame. He most recently appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and we know we'll see him in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

That's quite an impressive resume for a side character who is increasingly making the case he's actually the main character. Of course, it also seemed like a given Doctor Strange characters would appear more in the MCU once the multiverse got involved, though perhaps it was thought we'd see more of Stephen Strange than Wong. Now I almost get the vibe that Wong could be the next Nick Fury of the MCU, which may be a necessary role to fill considering we last saw Fury off in space.

Based on the events of Loki, it seems as though the Marvel Cinematic Universe is headed towards catastrophe. That's not ideal considering the universe has given us barely enough heroes to form a new Avengers team to defend against one threat, let alone multiple universes of threats. Luckily, it's clear Wong has been working in the background and ensuring any new heroes are scooped up into the fold of good guys seemingly before the next catastrophe strikes. Hell, he's even making nice with historically bad guys like Abomination, so you gotta love and respect the hustle!

He's The Voice Of Reason, As Well As A Laugh Riot

I've touched on this in the previous entries a bit, but it needs to be said that Wong's advice and wisdom will be mandatory in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. Stephen Strange is knowledgeable on the magical world, sure, but Wong has been in the game for much longer and would certainly be the one who can be the voice of reason at a time where a lot that's happening that may not make sense to everyone needed to restore order.

Speaking strictly from a character perspective, Wong is also a great straight man to some hilarious moments in the MCU. I can't express just how much joy it brought me when Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings came to an end, and we got to see Wong singing "Hotel California" alongside Shang-Chi and Katy. Wong can be absolutely hilarious in the MCU while doing much less than other characters, and that's both a credit to the way the character is written and Benedict Wong's acting. He's crushed this role from the jump, and I'm assuming he'll continue to do so for a long time.

At least, that's my hope, because all these Wong appearances do make me hope that Marvel isn't just setting us up to be absolutely devastated by his death in a couple of films. I'm not sure I'd like to see the guy doing the most behind-the-scenes as of late be the sacrificial lamb of the MCU so that others may live. We don't need another Phil Coulson, especially if the endgame is to write off everything notable Coulson did years later in a Marvel TV series. I'd much prefer Wong as the next Nick Fury and believe Marvel has set him up for a leadership role of exactly that sort.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is currently in theaters. Stick with CinemaBlend for more on the film, and for other Marvel news such as what Shang-Chi's director had to say about Abomination's future in the MCU.

The debut of Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi into the Marvel Cinematic Universe is proving to be a huge success for Walt Disney Studios as it continued to dominate box office dollars in its strong second weekend exclusively in theaters. Amidst the uncertain pandemic era at the movies, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has soared to $258 million worldwide, already gaining momentum over Ryan Reynolds’ video-game themed film, Free Guy.

Free Guy hit theaters exclusively one month ago and became one of the only Hollywood films of the summer to receive a release in China. The Ryan Reynolds-led movie has made nearly $277 million worldwide in that time. Shang-Chi stands to catch right up to its numbers even without a China release, per Deadline. Over the weekend it was reported that the major box office market may not host the first Asian-led Marvel film reportedly due in part to comments made by Simu Liu about the Middle Kingdom run by Xi Jinping years ago.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings got its start at the box office with record-shattering Labor Day opening weekend, including a $71.4 million domestic haul. In its second weekend, Shang-Chi retained its spot at No. 1 not only in the U.S. but in major international markets including the UK, Australia, Brazil, France, Germany, Korea, Italy, Mexico, Russia and Spain. Overall, in its second weekend Shang-Chi only dropped off 34 percent from its debut.

Black Widow in comparison, which opened in early July in theaters alongside a streaming release on Disney+ Premier Access, dropped a rough 67% in its second weekend, which caused some panic to theater exhibitors at the time. And famously, Scarlett Johansson subsequently decided to sue Walt Disney Studios for a breach in contract in regards to how the studio handled its release of her own solo Marvel film.

Shang-Chi’s performance is overall great news for the theatrical market as Hollywood still grapples with shifts in the industry brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic in the past year and a half. Ahead of the second weekend, Disney decided to make three more of their major productions theater exclusive films. Encanto, Eternals and West Side Story will get exclusive theatrical windows before becoming at-home releases.

At the moment, Free Guy is at No. 7 in 2021’s top-earning releases at the box office and Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings is just behind it at No. 8. F9 is the top earning Hollywood film of the year with Godzilla vs. Kong, Black Widow and Quiet Place Part II rounding spots four through six.

Shang-Chi was a relatively unknown Marvel hero, so this success really speaks to the Marvel brand on the worldwide movie-going audience. And how much audiences love it certainly has helped its numbers soar as well.