We’ve known for awhile that Marvel was fast-tracking a film based on the Shang-Chi character that will make it their first tentpole franchise with an Asian lead and it will land on February 12th, 2021. We knew previously that Destin Daniel Cretton was on board to direct it with a screenplay by Dave Callaham. Now, it’s been revealed that Simu Liu has joined the project that’s formally known as Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in the title role and that Awkwafina will have an undisclosed role in it. Tony Leung is set to play the “real” Mandarin after a false one was introduced back in Iron Man 3.
The character of Shang-Chi has definitely undergone a lot of changes since he was first introduced back in 1973 from Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin. The character was originally the son of Fu Manchu, who was a hugely problematic character to say the least as a representation of the “yellow peril” stereotype. With Marvel not having the rights to that for quite a long time, Shang-Chi’s origin has been fluid and changed a few times over the years.
Property concept: Shang-Chi is the son of China-based globalist who raised and educated his progeny in his reclusive China compound, closed off to the outside world. The son trained in the martial arts and developed unsurpassed skills. He is eventually introduced to the outside world to do his father’s bidding, and then has to come to grips with the fact his revered father might not be the humanitarian he has claimed to be and is closer to what others call him: The Devil’s Doctor. He also might be centuries old. The deceit makes them bitter enemies.
