A First Look At Marvel’s First Asian Superhero in ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’
Marvel releases the teaser trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The film focuses on the Marvel Comics character Shang-Chi, their first Asian Superhero, who is played by Canadian actor Simu Liu. Shang-Chi was raised by the Ten Rings terror organization, which is lead by his father, to be a martial artist assassin but escapes to have a seemingly normal life in San Francisco.
Shang-Chi is the first Asian superhero in Marvel’s Cinematic Universe and they plan for this movie to embody Asian and Asian American themes.
In the past, Marvel has controversially attempted to incorporate Asian themes with white protagonists. In 2017 Netflix created a Marvel TV show called Iron First that revolves around a wealthy white character who is versed in Asian fighting traditions. The show only lasted two seasons.
SHANG-CHI: AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS is going to be one of the best MCU movies it’s true pic.twitter.com/2RjT5Ebr8N
— ً (@photonsblast) April 19, 2021
In 2016, a white actress Tilda Swinton was cast as Doctor Strange‘s Ancient One character. In the original comics, the character is portrayed as Asian. Director Scott Derrickson explained the production cast wanted to avoid Asian stereotypes, but unfortunately, it completely removed the Asian presence from the film.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in all his glory!!! I am so proud of everyone who worked on this film. As an Asian-American myself it was such a special film for me to work on. #shangchi #shangchiandthelegendofthetenrings @MarvelStudios pic.twitter.com/Bc5KKUvVT7
— Andy Park (@andyparkart) April 19, 2021
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings took priority in 2018 after the success of Black Panther and Crazy Rich Asians but was paused, like many productions, due to the coronavirus. The film is also part of Marvel’s Phase Four. Other notable cast members include Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy, Tony Leung as Shang-Chi’s father and the leader of the Ten Rings, and Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan.
Some other Marvel films hitting theaters this year include Black Widow (July 9), Eternals (November 5), and Spider-Man: No Way Home (December 17). Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is scheduled to be released on September 3.
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