‘Shang-Chi’: everything we know about Marvel’s first Asian superhero

Marvel fans, assemble: Marvel’s first Asian superhero has finally arrived. Here’s everything we know about Shang-Chi.

Marvel Studios is all set to woo the audience this year with its new superhero movie, set to release on 3 September, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film follows protagonist Shang-Chi as he finds himself trapped in a family legacy.

His past threatens to ruin his life in San Francisco, US, when he unwittingly gets involved with the covert and notorious Ten Rings — a criminal organisation headed by his father Wenwu, or The Mandarin.

The trailer, released on 25 June 2021, packs quite the punch with adrenaline-fuelling action scenes, along with a look into Shang-Chi’s relationship with Wenwu, who is seen warning him that “you can’t run from the past.”

(Main and Featured image: The Direct)

Shang-Chi will go down in history for being the first Marvel movie with a superhero of Asian descent played by Simu Liu, while actors like Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, Meng’er Zhang, Benedict Wong, Tony Leung Chiu-wai, Dallas Liu, Ronny Chieng and Jodi Long make up the cast. Additionally, director Destin Daniel Cretton and screenwriter Dave Callaham have Asian roots. 

Reprising their characters Abomination from The Incredible Hulk (2008) and Trevor Slattery from Iron Man 3 (2013), Tim Roth and Ben Kingsley will also be seen in the film. 

Talking about Asian representation in the movies, Liu in an interview with Bloomberg said, “I want everybody to know that they’re seen and that they matter and they should be proud of who they are.” 

After Black Panther (2018), Marvel Studios has taken another step towards inclusivity and diverse representation with Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The former witnessed groundbreaking commercial and critical success, as many lauded the film for its representation of black culture. Black Panther’s cast included the late Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke and Letitia Wright, and the film received a Rotten Tomatoes rating of 96 percent. 

Meanwhile, Shang-Chi premiered on 16 August in Los Angeles, US, with great fanfare as many hailed its well-choreographed action sequences and taut storyline. Here are some reactions the film has received so far.  

Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings is PHENOMENAL. Get hyped. Even fight scene/action sequence is better than the last. @SimuLiu fully embraces the marvel superhero role. Amazing imagery. Killer soundtrack. You’ll want to see this on the big screen. #shangchi

— Wendy Lee Szany (@WendyLeeSzany) August 17, 2021

#shangchi is like no Marvel movie you’ve seen. Love that it opens the door to a new world that I can’t wait to see more of. @SimuLiu literally kicks so much ass and he is perfectly cast. Got to see it in @imax tonight and this is how you want to see it. Looked and sounded perfect pic.twitter.com/43SaSxfx3m

— Steven Weintraub (@colliderfrosty) August 17, 2021

#ShangChi is fantastic. It's full of INCREDIBLE, beautifully choreographed fight scenes and full of badass women. Get ready to know Simu Liu's name if you don't already. Marvel has another hit on its hands. pic.twitter.com/3efV1kzJ7O

— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) August 17, 2021

#ShangChi is awesome. This movie hits all that Marvel does well (pacing, humor, character) and adds action like we’ve never seen from the MCU before! 👏🏻👏🏻

Lots of people are about to have a new favorite Marvel hero.

Darker than expected. Loads of fun. Integral to MCU Phase 4!👀 pic.twitter.com/YI3jkwLuq6

— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) August 17, 2021

#ShangChi is an absolute triumph, unexpectedly spiritual and emotionally complex, with some of the very best action in the MCU. @SimuLiu is your new favorite Avenger and the movie’s myriad influences (everything from Jackie Chan to Hayao Miyazaki) pay off big time). Astounding.🐉 pic.twitter.com/72Yubnb4KV

— Drew Taylor (@DrewTailored) August 17, 2021

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings earns the title of the best superhero film of 2021 so far. The action scenes are simply spectacular, especially the train & skyscraper scene. Best martial arts I’ve seen in a long time. Simu Liu & Awkwafina are terrific. #ShangChi pic.twitter.com/M0EEMJqKu3

— Scott Menzel (@ScottDMenzel) August 17, 2021

Based on the Shang-Chi comic series, the Marvel superhero was created in the 1970s. Comic artist and writer Jim Starlin and writer Steve Englehart collaborated to create superhero Shang-Chi who “seeks peace and harmony in a weary world while opposing those who would tear it down.” In the comics, the superhero, whose name means “rising and advancing of the spirit,” is a skilled martial arts warrior.   

This article first appeared on Lifestyle Asia Hong Kong.