Phase 4 of the MCU will Introduce Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is taking shape with the announcement of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The announcement came during Marvel’s San Diego Comic-Con panel where Simu Liu will play the hero Shang-Chi.

If the title of the movie rings any bells, that’s because the Ten Rings have made an appearance in previous MCU films. Their most famous cameo was in Iron Man 3 with the introduction of the terrorist known as The Mandarin. However, their history is as old as the MCU itself, with one of their members making an appearance in the first Iron Man back in 2008.

While the third movie gave fans a look at a false Mandarin, played by actor Ben Kingsley, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will feature Chinese actor Tony Leung as the true Mandarin. Marvel released a short with Kingsley’s version of the villain in prison. The scene explains the real Mandarin is aware of his exploits and wants to speak with him, so we may get to see what happens to the fake version in the MCU after all.

Just announced in Hall H at #SDCC, Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, with Simu Liu, Awkwafina and Tony Leung, directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. In theaters February 12, 2021. pic.twitter.com/VXaqJ5uN6B

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 21, 2019

While the announcement came as a great surprise to fans in Hall H at Comic-Con, Canadian-Chinese actor Simu Liu also got a bit of a shock after he was apparently cast as the hero a few days before appearing on stage. Kevin Feige says the movie will also star Awkwafina in an unannounced role and is being written by Dave Callaham (Wonder Women 1984) and directed by Destin Daniel Cretton (The Glass Castle).

This is Marvel’s first feature film featuring an ensemble of Asian and Asian-American cast and crew members. It’s a welcoming addition to the universe and a move that follows in the footsteps of the success of Black Panther and what that film represented for the African-American and African community. After the reveal, Simu Liu posted his reaction on social media.

Now that the craziness is over, the work begins.

There is so much at stake here; we are fighting for our identity, for our right to be seen, to BELONG.

Eternally grateful to Marvel, to Kevin, Jonathan and Destin for this gift. @awkwafina LET’S GET TO WORK BABYYYYY!!!

— Simu Liu (@SimuLiu) July 21, 2019

Created in the 70s, Shang-Chi is known as the Master of Kung Fu and made his first appearance in Special Marvel Edition # 15 in December of 1973. He was originally developed as the son of Fu Manchu, but later on, Marvel had to redevelop his backstory a bit after they lost the rights to Fu Manchu.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will release in theaters February 12, 2021.