'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings': Air date, how to watch, trailer and all about film as Marvel drops SHOCKING hints
We could finally be getting our first look at 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' if eagle-eyed Marvel fans are right. Thanks to some enthusiastic fans, there's a strong possibility that Marvel Studios will drop its first look or even a trailer for the film. Shang-Chi will be the 25th Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film after 'Black Widow'.
Starring Simu Liu in the titular role, the film is Marvel's first Asian-led story. So far, we haven't gotten any set photos, leaked stills or even plot details. That has only served to hype up the film further. However, that could all change now.
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Several Marvel fans noticed that the film's official Twitter page finally received a facelift. Prior to April 18, the page only had a display picture but it has now received a header image. Fans have also noticed that April 19 is star Simu Liu's birthday, so it seems likely that Marvel could drop a poster or trailer. The timing does seem apt, given how 'Falcon and the Winter Soldier' comes to an end this week, and the next MCU release is 'Black Widow'.
Release date
Shang-Chi is scheduled to be released on September 3, 2021, according to Marvel. Initially, the film was to be released on February 12 to coincide with the Chinese New Year, but was pushed back due to the pandemic. The new date is just two months after 'Black Widow' drops in July, and a month prior to 'The Eternals'. The latter half of the year is expected to be quite crowded, with Marvel releasing 'Loki' in June, 'Black Widow' in July, 'Shang-Chi' in September, 'The Eternals' in November and 'Spider-Man: No Way Home' in December.
At some point in the year, 'What If?', 'Ms. Marvel', and 'Hawkeye' are also expected to release. That's a lot of promotion for Marvel to do over the year, so it makes sense to start now. If fans are right, we are likely to see an official poster or a trailer for the film on April 19. The film is still expected to open in theatres but could receive a Disney Plus release just like 'Black Widow' if the coronavirus situation persists.
Plot
As with all MCU shows and films, the plot of Shang-Chi is a closely guarded secret. Marvel's official synopsis reads" "Shang-Chi must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization." We do know that The Mandarin will act as Shang-Chi's father, rather than the character of 'Fu Manchu'. Marvel reportedly does not have the rights to the character of Manchu, and the studio is reportedly not interested in pursuing the rights since the character has been widely criticized as "xenophobic".
Cast
Playing the role of Shagi-Chi is Simu Liu, a Canadian actor originally from China. Liu has appeared in a wide range of TV shows from 'Kim's Convenience' to 'Yappie'. He will be joined by Awkwafina as Chi's best friend Katy, veteran Tony Leung as The Mandarin, Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan and Fala Chen as Jiang Li. Comedian and Daily Host correspondent Ronny Chieng has been cast as Jon Jon and Dallas Liu has been cast in an unspecified role.
We haven't received any news about other MCU characters appearing in the film, apart from The Mandarin. Ben Kingsley played a version of the character in 'Iron Man 3', that was later revealed to be a ruse. It is unclear if he will return. It is also possible Don Cheadle could cameo as Rhodey, given he was also in the third Iron Man film. But this is mere speculation at this point.
Director and crew
In 2018, Marvel roped in screenwriter David Callaham to write the screenplay. Callaham has written the screenplays for 'The Expendables', 'Ant-Man', 'Wonder Woman' and 'Spider-Man: Into the Spiderverse'. The film is being directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who was hired in March 2019. Cretton is an American director whose mother is originally from Japan. He's a longtime collaborator of Marvel's 'Captain Marvel' star Brie Larson. The duo has worked together on 'Short Term 12', 'The Glass Castle' and 'Just Mercy'.
News
Principle photography for Shan-Chi began in February 2020 in Australia and was shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At one point, Cretton had to test for the virus "in an abundance of caution," since he had a newborn baby. While waiting for his results, Marvel suspended first unit production. On March 13, all production was suspended and resumed in August. Apart from the shift in release dates, and Feige's December 2020 announcement of the cast, news of the film has been increasingly hard to come by.
On April 10, a Twitter user leaked packaging for toys purportedly from the film. The Portuguese tweet said, "MY hype for shang chi." Along with the first looks of the main cast, the leak also revealed some details about the plot.
MEU hype para shang chi 📈📈📈 pic.twitter.com/Pb0PKoT9Ot
— void ✪ | tfatws spoilers (@obrienproject_) April 9, 2021
With the Twitter page now getting an update, you can certainly expect a lot more news about the film.
Where to watch
If Marvel does drop a trailer, you should be able to see it on their official Twitter handle, Facebook page and YouTube account. It should also be released on the Shang-Chi Twitter account. It is likely to be released sometime on Monday afternoon, according to fans.
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