Until recently, none of us could imagine a Chinese superhero in Marvel Studios movie. But not only the makers are done with the first part, but all are set for 2nd instalment as well. Did you think only Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook CEO) is trying to conquer 1.4 billion Chinese by marrying a Chinese girl? However, Marvel Studios is not behind. They too want their movie ticket sales to increase in millions, hence a Chinese superhero!
But let's keep this demographics conquer marketing for some other day and jump straight to the Shang Chi 2 progress so far by Marvel Studios.
Shang Chi 1, Story So Far
Xu Wenwu finds the ten rings, mythical weapons that offer their owner immortality and heavenly abilities, thousands of years ago. Wenwu founds the Ten Rings organisation, which conquer kingdoms and overthrew governments in the history of Comics. In 1996, Wenwu set out to find Ta Lo (to increase his strength), a town widely known to be home to mythological animals. He walks through a mystical forest to the village entrance, but village warden Ying Li prevents him from entering. The two falls for each other, but Wenwu gets rejected by the locals. However, this doesn't stop Li from joining him. Wenwu decides to abandon the Ten Rings to spend more time with his family. Wenwu's adversaries, the Iron Gang, assassinate Li when Shang-Chi is seven years old. Wenwu successfully resurrects the rings to slaughter the Iron Gang. He then reclaims control of his organisation and subjects Shang-Chi to rigorous martial arts training. Finally, Wenwu assigns Shang-Chi to assassinate the Iron Gang's leader when he is 14 years old. Shang-Chi, disheartened after completing his goal, flees to San Francisco and takes the alias “Shaun.”
The Ten Rings and Wenwu arrive, and a struggle starts. Wenwu and Shang-Chi fight, with Wenwu throwing Shang-Chi into a neighbouring lake as a result. Wenwu uses the rings to tear down the Gate, which, unbeknownst to him, allows many of the Dweller's minions to flee and assault the humans. To battle the minions, the villagers and the Ten Rings join forces. The Great Protector revives Shang-Chi before leaving the lake to fight the minions. Wenwu and Shang-Chi battle again; Shang-Chi obtains the upper hand, but instead of striking Wenwu, chooses to spare him. Shang-Chi is attacked by the Dweller-in-Darkness, who has escaped the weakening Gate. Before being slain by the Dweller-in-Darkness, Wenwu saves Shang-Chi and leaves him the rings. The Dweller-in-Darkness is defeated by Shang-Chi, the Great Protector, Xialing, and Katy. After the battle, Shang-Chi and Katy return to San Francisco, when they are invited by Wong, the sorcerer, to join him at the Sanctum Sanctorum.
- Post credits scene of Shang Chi 1: The trio meets with Bruce Banner and Carol Danvers during the mid-credits sequence and discovers that the 10 rings broadcast a strange signal. In a post-credits sequence, Xialing ascends to the position of Ten Rings commander.
Shang Chi 2 Casting, Who Will Be There From 1st Part
We can't imagine a sequel without the film's stars Simu Liu and Awkwafina. Considering how the movie finishes, we know they're in for some great things. Awkwafina claimed she couldn't imagine them being apart, and we can't either.
Given Wenwu's death after the film, Tony Leung is unlikely to return as one of the film's other stars. Flashbacks, on the other hand, are a thing. Still, considering how nicely the film closed up his emotional journey, we doubt he'll be returning.
Meng'er Zhang is expected to reprise her role as Xialing, Shang-sister, Chi's who took over her father's criminal enterprise after the film. This might also indicate that Florian Munteanu would reprise his role as Razorfist, a Ten Rings henchman.
Whether or not the sequel returns to Ta Lo, we can only hope that it makes greater use of Michelle Yeoh, a true cinematic star. Wong (Benedict Wong) was the only other non-Shang-Chi Marvel character to appear. However, which other MCU characters may appear in a sequel is a toss-up.
Shang Chi 2 plot/storyline, what's gonna happen with Shang Chi in part 2
As we all know, the movie is far from being released. There is very little official information available right now as Marvel Studios is working on GUardians of Galaxies and Dr Strange. But that doesn't stop us from guessing Shang Chi 2 plot and possible villains. Many rely on what happens in the forthcoming Marvel films, notably Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness since our superheroes face a very different future.
A sequel might follow Xialing, a criminal genius, as she clashes with her brother. However, this is just guesswork on our side. Liu and Awkwafina haven't spoken anything about their future intentions.
Post-credits sequences, on the other hand, hint to a future for Shang-Chi and Katy with the Avengers as a whole, as well as a peek of Xialing's potential. Whatever happens, we can be sure that a lot of ideas are circulating.
“We certainly have many ideas of where to take them and where to put them,” Marvel's Kevin Feige stated. What's more exciting is that we know the movie is working when people are asking about the co-stars or supporting characters, not simply the lead character.
“And that's encouraging in this film because we believe they're fantastic, and we think they have a lot of promise in the future.”
Wrapping up
Shang Chi 2 release date is yet to be announced, so we suggest that all our readers stop searching for it until mid-2022.
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