Four Years Later, Marvel Still Hasn’t Fulfilled a Major MCU Promise

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The Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has overlooked one of its most intriguing storylines for nearly four years, and it seems that correcting this oversight might be too late. The MCU’s Phases 4, 5, and 6 have been marked by an abundance of new characters, shaping the post-“Avengers: Endgame” period through their extensive expansion of the universe. Remarkable introductions like Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), and the Fantastic Four have significantly influenced the MCU’s ongoing narrative, while established figures such as Peter Parker/Spider-Man (Tom Holland), Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), and Thor (Chris Hemsworth) have provided a comforting sense of continuity. With 13 films and 12 live-action TV series released since the commencement of Phase 4 in 2021, the MCU has found itself grappling with numerous plotlines and characters as it approaches 2026’s “Avengers: Doomsday” and 2027’s “Avengers: Secret Wars” – events which will wrap up the Multiverse Saga and initiate a kind of reboot ahead of Phase 7.

In the Multiverse Saga, it was anticipated that Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu) would play a significant part in the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His standalone movie, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” released in 2021, explored his family’s history with the Ten Rings organization and the legendary rings. However, despite this strong introduction, Shang-Chi has yet to make an appearance in any subsequent MCU projects over the past four years since the release of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” This lack of screen time following a promising start presents a significant challenge for Shang-Chi’s longevity in the MCU, mirroring a broader issue within the Marvel Universe.

The MCU Has Failed Shang-Chi Since His Introduction

Since Shang-Chi first interacted with Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel, Bruce Banner/Hulk, Wong, and Katy via holograms, leading him through a portal, he has been absent from the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Many fans believe that the end of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” foreshadows Shang-Chi joining forces with other Avengers before the next major MCU event. Although it was confirmed in December 2021 that a sequel to “Shang-Chi” is in development, no definite updates have been shared since then. The director Destin Daniel Cretton is set to work on “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” in 2026, making it unclear when the production for “Shang-Chi 2” will commence.

Due to Marvel choosing not to delve deeper into Shang-Chi’s story beyond his first movie and his absence in other MCU projects, there is uncertainty about his significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Although he is set to reappear in Avengers: Doomsday, a long gap between his debut and return is concerning, as it may hinder Shang-Chi’s development and fan reception. With such a lengthy absence, the MCU has left him with little momentum heading into Doomsday. As a result, the upcoming crossover film will need to invest considerable effort into reviving Shang-Chi’s prominence among the extensive cast of Marvel superheroes, as Doomsday might not have enough storyline to fully showcase his talents following his extended absence from screens, potentially impacting the success of Shang-Chi 2.

This MCU Problem Extends Beyond Shang-Chi

It seems that Shang-Chi isn’t alone in having limited screen time or an unclear story arc in the Multiverse Saga. Characters like Moon Knight (played by Oscar Isaac) and She-Hulk (Tatiana Maslany), who recently had their own Disney+ shows, don’t seem to have a definite MCU future ahead. Similarly, Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld) and America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez) have been absent for over three years now. On the other hand, characters such as Shuri/Black Panther (Letitia Wright), Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd), and Thor will only make one appearance in the Multiverse Saga before reappearing in Doomsday. The start of Phase 4 seemed to focus heavily on Wanda, but her confusing “death” leaves many questions about the future of a character who was previously at the height of her powers.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there’s a persistent challenge due to the escalating number of characters and intricate universe expansion, which conflicts with its aim for quality over quantity in projects. This pursuit often results in some characters appearing infrequently, leading to insufficient character development and potentially disheartening audiences who may lose interest in their stories. When fans are confronted with extended absences of heroes after their initial introduction or recent appearance, it can become tiresome and seem futile to follow the MCU’s intricate storyline. To revitalize itself following Secret Wars, the MCU must determine which characters deserve priority instead of introducing numerous new personalities that may be neglected later on.

Avengers: Doomsday will open in theaters on December 18, 2026.

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2025-08-27 00:44