Marvel's Shang-Chi is giving Asians an opportunity to be part of the MCU
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Finally, Asian Superheroes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Shang-Chi

Lester Tan
19 Aug 2019
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Marvel's Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings (Credit: Disney)
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Marvel’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of the 10 Rings looks to be a film of many firsts. It will be the studios’ first Asian-represented superhero film, starring Kim Convenience‘s Simu Liu, Tony Leung and Awakfina (Rachel’s bff in Crazy Rich Asians). The film’s protagonist, Simu Liu, is also the first Chinese-Canadian actor to spearhead a film that is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

shang chi
Simu Liu of Marvel Studios’ ‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ | Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

So far, we’ve covered several titles announced in Marvel’s Phase 4 — from the familiar Doctor Strange to the all-new Eternals. Let’s head into Shang-Chi and The Legend of the 10 Rings to see what’s happening there.

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Black Widow in Marvel's Phase 4 is more than just an action film
the real mandarin
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Actor Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery (aka Mandarin) in Iron Man 3 | @Carl Johnson, Marvel

One memorable moment in Iron Man 3 was Ben Kingsley’s comedic portrayal of the Mandarin. Curiously, this counterfeit Mandarin boded the prevalence of terrorism in modern America and possible sabotage and the downfall of democracy. How’s that for clairvoyant power?

With Shang-Chi, Marvel fans can look forward to the development of the real Mandarin and his connection to the Ten Rings organisation (as teased in 2015’s Ant-Man) and his desire for world domination like his 2013’s charlatan.

asian representation
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Comic image of Shang-Chi | Credit: Marvel

So far, Asians have hardly had a superhero we could relate to. Even the most Asian-looking Power Ranger failed to bring any excitement. Well, that’s going to change with Shang-Chi.

Perhaps this had been the plan because it isn’t the first time Marvel has opened its doors for inclusivity. From Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnorak being Marvel’s first LGBT-superhero, to an all-female team in Captain Marvel, Marvel Studios has been broadening its universe, one community at a time.

shang chi
Director Destin Daniel Cretton | Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

For Shang-Chi, Marvel and Director Daniel Cretton have picked an all-Asian cast. Thus, this could be heartwarming for Hollywood’s Asian celebrities as they become part of something bigger in the industry as well as in the MCU; especially when their ancestors had had a tough start to life in America due to the country’s 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act and the 1892 Geary Act.

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Doctor Strange in Marvel's Phase 4 looks horrifyingly good
an uphill task
shang chi
Danny Rand in Netflix Marvel’s Iron Fist | Credit: Netflix Singapore

You can’t say Marvel hadn’t tried earlier. Its most Asian-ish production Iron Fist, however, failed to establish itself on Netflix, as netizens found it poor because of the insufficient character development and bad fighting sequences. Surprisingly, fans have also voiced their displeasure over the casting choice of Simu Liu. Their quibble: they don’t think he is attractive enough for the role.

As we’ve already seen though, Marvel has never had the habit of yielding to popular opinion. Like how Kevin Feige raised a few eyebrows when he brought the Russo brothers into the Marvel Universe after their limited experience in producing comedy series Arrested Development and Community.

OOF 3.5 AND they pronounced my name wrong!On a serious note, I think this is a very teachable moment. I've had people…

由 Simu Liu 发布于 2019年8月9日周五

It’s early to know if Shang-Chi will succeed artistically or commercially. We’ll just have to wait and see if Simu Liu will deliver and if Daniel Cretton can craft something that will fit seamlessly into the Marvel sphere despite its bold departures.

Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be released on 12 February 2021

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Lester Tan
Lester is into films, food and basically anything culture related under the sun.
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