Shang-Chi Faces His Past In A New TV Spot
As we inch closer to the release of "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," Marvel Studios has released a new teaser trailer to give audiences more new footage to ponder. The anticipation for "Shang-Chi" is high, especially considering it is one of the few MCU movies premiering in 2021 after Marvel, like many other studios, delayed the release of its biggest tentpoles in 2020. "Shang-Chi" will also be the movie that will really kick off the Phase 4 narrative after "Black Widow" essentially helped close the door on previous MCU chapters. But most importantly, "Shang-Chi" will be a groundbreaking movie because it will feature a predominantly Asian cast and introduce the first Asian superhero into the MCU.
Set for release on September 3, 2021, "Shang-Chi" will serve as a star-making turn for Simu Liu, who graduates from TV actor to big-screen star as he steps into the role of Shang-Chi. Starring alongside Liu is Awkwafina as Katy, Shang-Chi's friend; Tony Leung as Wenwu, Shang-Chi's father; Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan; Meng'er Zhan as Xialing, Shang-Chi's reclusive sister; Benedict Wong will reprise his "Doctor Strange" character, Wong; and Ronny Chieng will play Shang-Chi's other friend, Jon Jon.
We can expect "Shang-Chi" to introduce audiences to the world of this unique Marvel character, which will no doubt include insights into his powers and his troubled past.
Shang-Chi's past will play a key role in his present-day battle against the Ten Rings
The latest teaser trailer for "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" (via YouTube) puts an emphasis on Shang-Chi's past finally catching up with him. The spot kicks off with the footage of Shang-Chi's battle against Razor Fist (Florian Munteanu) that we've seen teased in previous "Shang-Chi" trailers. Following this, we hear Shang-Chi's friend, Katy, tell her friend exasperatedly, "I know that you don't like to talk about your life, but a guy with a freaking machete for an arm just chopped our bus in half!"
This proclamation leads to shots of Shang-Chi not only facing off against a variety of foes with ties to the Ten Rings, but also visibly grappling with his past. As we've already learned from the official "Shang-Chi" trailer, the titular hero's father is Wenwu, the intimidating leader of the Ten Rings. Wenwu raised his son to be another formidable fighter with skills his father could weaponize for his own means. It's teased that Shang-Chi eventually gave up on that path but, as his father attempts to reel him back him based on their familial history, he will have to draw on the lessons learned in his past if he's going to finally overcome his father's stronghold.
The biggest question this promotional spot raises — and which will be explored in the movie — is whether Shang-Chi can rise up and embrace his powers for good, rather than for evil like his father had hoped. Guess we'll find out when "Shang-Chi" arrives in theaters on September 3, won't we?