'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings': Release date, plot, cast and everything you need to know about Marvel's upcoming movie
Marvel fans across the world have welcomed Marvel Studios' latest plans to film 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings'. During Marvel Studios' Comic-Con International: San Diego panel, Marvel teased fans with the lead cast and the showrunner. What sets this announcement apart is that this is Marvel’s first superhero movie with an Asian lead.
Release date
'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' is scheduled for release on February 12, 2021.
Plot
Shang-Chi first appeared in 1973's Special Marvel Edition No. 15. He is born to a Chinese father and an American mother and was created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. His father happens to be villain Fu Manchu and Shang-Chi was trained by him in martial arts. He broke away from him and led his own path.
The character was extremely popular in the 70s and re-emerged in Marvel Now's 2012 publishing event. Shang-Chi is well known as "the master of kung fu".
Although the exact plotline of the movie hasn't been revealed fans are speculating that the movie might explore the origins of Mandarin, the original superhero villain, and the ten rings that he is portrayed wearing throughout the comics. Each of these powerful rings allows Mandarin (or the wearer of the ring) to wield powers like beams of force, creating high-speed vortexes, creating an area of darkness, electromagnetic energy, shooting fire, mentally manipulating individuals, blasts of electric energy, manipulating matter on a molecular level, destroying molecular bonds and intense cold.
Cast
Marvel's upcoming movie boasts of a star-studded ensemble.
Simu Liu
Marvel's head Kevin Feige announced that the film is titled 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings' and introduced the actor who would play the titular role in the film to be Simu Liu, who is best known for his role in the sitcom 'Kim's Convenience'. The Canadian actor also played an extra in Guillermo Del Torro's 'Pacific Rim'. Liu was born in China and grew up in Canada. The Canadian show 'Blood and Water' fetched him a Canadian Screen Award and ACTRA nominations for his role in the crime-drama, which mixed Cantonese, Mandarin, and English.
Tony Leung
Several fans of the comics have been a little wary of the portrayal of Mandarin in the comic books, as it further perpetuates racist Asian stereotype "yellow peril". When fans heard that the Shang-Chi live-action movie could be in pipeline, they were very apprehensive about the casting of Mandarin. Director Destin Daniel Cretton seems to have found a way to bring Mandarin to the big screen with Hong Kong actor Tony Leung playing the villain. Tony received the Best Actor Award at the Cannes International Film Festival for his outstanding performance in 'In the Mood for Love'.
Awkwafina
The film will also star 'Crazy Rich Asians' star Awkwafina, however, her role in the movie is yet to be announced.
Creators
Marvel head Kevin Feige is producing and Louis D'Esposito, Victoria Alonso and Jonathan Schwartz will serve as the executive producers of the film. The film will be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. Marvel will reportedly "modernize the hero to avoid stereotypes that many comic characters of that era were saddled with", something the studio hopes to achieve with Chinese-American screenwriter Dave Callaham ('Wonder Woman 1984', 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse 2', 'The Expendables') and half-Japanese Cretton pitching in extensively.
Trailer
The trailer of the film hasn't been released. keep watching this space for further updates.
News
Watch Marvel's announcement of 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' during the San Diego Comic-Con. Kevin Feige announced the confirmed casting of Simu Liu in the title role of Shang-Chi and both the actor and the director, Destin Daniel Cretton, came on stage to greet the audience. Kevin also shared with the audience the casting of Awkwafina in a yet-to-be-disclosed role. Then, Kevin revealed to the Hall H audience that the real Mandarin will be played by Chinese actor Tony Leung.
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