The wait for Marvel’s newest superhero has never been more anticipated!
Last Monday, August 26, Marvel Studios held the global premiere of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to a raving Los Angeles audience. The film will be the second action-packed movie to kick off Marvel’s Phase 4 line-up following Black Widow’s theater release last July 9.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings will be the first MCU film to feature a new superhero since the end of The Infinity Saga, which saw the defeat of the intergalactic warlord Thanos. Since Black Widow’s purpose was to provide the final send-off to Natasha Romanoff, who sacrificed herself during the events of 2019’s Avengers: Endgame (read: it’s not a spoiler if the movie’s been out for two years now, right?), Shang-Chi serves as our first truly new serving of Marvel’s expanding universe.
Beyond soaring expectations of what plot twists the MCU has next to offer, however, is the Asian representation that is now victoriously making itself known in the superhero film realm — a feat that was celebrated immediately upon the Shang-Chi cast’s red carpet entrance.
The Shang-Chi red carpet was inspiring and exhilarating. But a personal highlight was getting emotional with Simu Liu over what this film means for the Asian diaspora. Congratulations to the cast & crew. So grateful to have been a small part of introducing the world to #ShangChi. pic.twitter.com/Ny4OO5nqCR
— Erika Ishii (@erikaishii) August 18, 2021
“It was a very emotional moment, I got to say,” said Simu Liu, who plays Shang-Chi, when asked about what it felt like to put on his superhero suit for the first time. “Just knowing how few people ever get the privilege of doing that. And as a person of Asian descent, too. Knowing that is just an extra special moment.”
In addition to Liu, Shang-Chi’s predominantly Asian cast includes well-known names such as Awkwafina (Katy), Michelle Yeoh (Jiang Nan), and Tony Leung (The Mandarin). Benedict Wong, who first appeared in Doctor Strange (2016) as a Master of the Mystic Arts, will also reprise his role as Wong.
Our amazing cast and crew of #ShangChi and the Legend of the Ten Rings at the World Premiere! ✨ pic.twitter.com/srqKBL7YHV
— Shang-Chi (@shangchi) August 17, 2021
Shang-Chi’s release naturally comes with several expectations as the pioneer Asian-led film of the MCU. After Disney’s 2020 release of Mulan, which was criticized by many for its insensitive Westernized treatment, fans and critics have been initially skeptical of what Shang-Chi would bring. Fortunately, news has arrived that there is no need for such suspicion!
Early reactions to the film — with no spoilers, of course — have been wildly taking over social media. Here are some of what viewers have to say about the feature:
Marvel fans now have a new favorite superhero!
#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
It’s an action-packed martial arts thrill
#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
The hype is so real — it’s so true!!
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
Badass women representation, check!
#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
It’s also an emotionally complex story about family
Expected a simple father/son conflict narrative and it's so much bigger than that. #ShangChi is a beautiful story about family, loss, and how our grief can blind and destroy us.
— Kirsten (@KirstenAcuna) August 17, 2021
It’s the perfect blend between the East and the West
I WATCHED #SHANGCHI!!!
It’s an amazing blend of East meets West! Hong Kong martial arts action comes to the #MCU & CHANGES THE GAME!!!
It’s emotional, beautiful & HILARIOUS!
This isn’t like ANY MCU film to date. WOW! #Marvel #MCU @shangchi @MarvelStudios @SimuLiu @awkwafina pic.twitter.com/iEEJ0v1DXA
— POC Culture (@POCculture) August 17, 2021
Excited yet? We definitely are.
Some more great news is that fans won’t have to wait long now! Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings will be available for worldwide theatrical release on September 3, 2021. It will also be available on Disney+ the following month.
