A warrior is coming to the MCU, a martial warrior the likes of which the universe has never seen. Shang Chi is a terrifying fighter who has influenced hundreds of melee fighters in the Marvel universe, but what will he change in the MCU? What would he bring to the ever-evolving world?
Shang Chi is a mythical figure in Marvel comics. As an accomplished martial arts fighter, he has taught the best melee fighters of the universe and fought foes far beyond his means. However, with the master coming to MCU, what would change? What is Shang Chi bringing to the table in the MCU?
Highlights —
- What does the strongest martial art warrior of Marvel bring to the MCU?
- Who can we expect to see in the Shang Chi movie?
- What makes Shang Chi so unique?
The Myth. The Legend.
The 1970s was the era of martial arts. The Wuxia films from China were entering the US market, and suddenly America was witness to a new kind of hero, a martial arts one. Marvel wanted to cash in on the craze. However, they didn’t have any established heroes to helm the new revolution.
Enters Shang Chi, the son of Fu Manchu, a legendary villain from ‘Pulp Fiction’. Shang Chi was created by the comic book artists Starlin and Englehart.
However, with Marvel dropping the character rights to Fu Machu in the 1980s, Shang Chi’s future became immediately clouded. It was not until Brubacker would introduce him into ‘Secret Avengers’ that he came back into the foray.
Shang Chi is mythical in his ability to manipulate his chi and do impossible feats with martial arts. He has a terrifying fighting ability and can take down the largest foes with sheer will and determination. He has been involved in the training of Domino in the recent Gail Simone series and has been a positive influence on the Marvel universe throughout.
He also participated in an All-Asian ‘Agents of Atlas’ series in 2019, receiving wide acclaim. He has fought against the Mandarin always and would be fighting against him in the upcoming movie also.
What’s so different about Shang Chi?
Shang Chi is kind of an odd duck compared to the other MCU heroes. While we have had international men of mystery, heroes with no powers and spies before, Shang Chi is a spiritual warrior whose war is often only with himself.
Shang Chi participates in fighting often, but he is a pacifist in his heart, and he only fights to protect others. He differs from the MCU crop in many fights with cosmic foes since his primary capabilities lend him to fight more localized enemies and star in smaller comics.
However, the best part about Shang Chi is the respect that various characters have had for him over the years. He has become a part of the ‘Secret Avengers’, played around with Domino, and has had his teams, ‘The Protectors’ and ‘The Agents of Atlas’.
The Shang Chi MCU debut will see him rubbing shoulders with The Mandarin, one of his greatest foes. However, it’s his future team-ups and training that would be interesting to look out for.
Related: Tony Leung’s The Mandarin Portrayal In Shang-Chi Will Alter MCU Timeline Again
In the comics, Shang Chi has trained Spider-Man in kung fu and has been a constant presence in many different characters’ lives. It would be interesting to see him help the world recover after the trauma of ‘Endgame’ and ‘Infinity War’.
The MCU Saga
Simu Liu was cast for the Shang Chi movie. It was received with widespread fanfare. The Shang-Chi movie release date is July of this year, and they will be bringing Simu Liu into the mainstream MCU audience.
While the Marvel executives have been tight-lipped about the production, we know what is coming through the title alone. ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ refers to the ten rings of power in the Marvel universe. These are rings that can provide the wearer with massive amounts of skill, and the Mandarin will have nine of them to start with.
The Shang-Chi MCU debut would see him fighting the Mandarin and going into dangerous territory to keep him from achieving ultimate power and damaging the universe’s fabric again. With an accomplished Tommy Leung playing the Mandarin and Simu Liu being an avid comic book fan, we can expect some sparks to fly in the MCU.
The Shang Chi movie is already kicking down doors and entering into our hearts this 2021. However, Shang-Chi is more than just a pretty face. He brings with him a mighty fist and a peaceful philosophy that will change the MCU forever.
