One of Marvel’s Most Exciting New Teams Hasn’t Gotten Any Update in Four Years

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It’s quite unexpected that the newly introduced team from “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which premiered in 2021, hasn’t appeared or been discussed in the Marvel Cinematic Universe so far. One frequent complaint about the MCU lately is its decreased interconnectedness. For instance, several characters introduced during Phase 4 have not reappeared since their initial live-action debuts. This observation also applies to Simu Liu’s character Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu. However, his absence isn’t the only mystery left unresolved four years later.

Four years back, on September 3, 2021, I found myself utterly captivated by “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” As a film enthusiast, this Marvel project quickly soared to popularity and success during Phase 4. The mystical rings, the charismatic martial artist Shang-Chi, his loyal sidekick Katy portrayed brilliantly by Awkwafina, and the visually stunning otherworldly dimension Ta Lo, all contributed to Destin Daniel Cretton’s impressive rise as a Marvel favorite director. Despite the tantalizing ending, there’s still much about “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” that remains shrouded in mystery.

Xu Xialing Took Over the Ten Rings in the MCU’s Phase 4

In “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” not only did we meet Shang-Chi for the first time, but also his powerful sister, Xi Xialing, portrayed by Meng’er Zhang. Making her Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in the Phase 4 film, Xi Xialing was introduced as a skilled fighter who was excluded from her father’s organization, the Ten Rings, due to his gender bias. She honed her skills in secret and emerged as an exceptional warrior, eventually running an underground fight club in Macau. During the course of the movie, she aided Shang-Chi in battling their father and safeguarding Ta Lo. In the end, it was Xi Xialing who assumed control over her father’s empire.

In “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” it was unveiled that Wenwu was indeed the genuine Mandarin, although he relinquished that title. He is also the head of the Ten Rings organization, which has been a persistent threat in the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2008’s “Iron Man.” His exceptional strength is attributed to the mystical bracelets he possesses, and his control over the Ten Rings provides him with an impressive and hazardous legacy. Now, this power has been passed on to Xialing, who has merged her fight club with the Ten Rings, forming a formidable new alliance. However, it remains uncertain when we’ll witness Xialing and the Ten Rings reappear again.

We Still Don’t Know When Xialing Will Return to the MCU

Xialing, in an animated form, debuted in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) during season 3 of “What If…?” In this series, a version of Xialing was presented as the Hood in 1872. Characters like Shang-Chi and Kate Bishop’s variants, along with a young Iron Fist named Kwai Jun-Fan, opposed her. However, Xialing managed to lose but it appears that her live-action version might be tougher to defeat. The Ten Rings, an organization known for its morally ambiguous members and skilled fighters, becomes even more powerful after Xialing’s control. If she were to reappear, she could gain even more power and influence from the Ten Rings.

Simu Liu will reprise his role as Shang-Chi in the 2026 film “Avengers: Doomsday,” but Meng’er Zhang has not been confirmed for a return. Director Destin Daniel Cretton is currently focusing on the development of the “Wonder Man” series for Disney+ and a new “Spider-Man” project set to release in July 2026, which has led to the delay in producing a sequel to “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” Liu and Cretton have hinted at a potential sequel, suggesting that Xialing and her powerful new Ten Rings teams could return, although a release date for this possible sequel has yet to be determined.

The Ten Rings Isn’t the Only Team From Shang-Chi’s Movie We Want to See Return

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’d surely be thrilling to have Xu Xialing and her Ten Rings create chaos or bring about change. However, another group that was introduced in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” is equally desirable for a return. The mid-credits scene revealed Shang-Chi, Katy, and Wong (Benedict Wong), the MCU’s Sorcerer Supreme, investigating a mystical signal coming from enigmatic bracelets. Interestingly, they weren’t working alone as holograms of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) joined them in this quest.

As a captivated moviegoer, I can’t help but be intrigued by the enigmatic mid-credits scene in “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” which has stirred whispers about Wong potentially assembling his own superhero squad within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Given Wong’s pivotal role in orchestrating a Midnight Sons team in the comics, such a development is not entirely unforeseen, and a formidable lineup featuring Wong, Shang-Chi, the Hulk, Captain Marvel, and the skilled archer Katy would undeniably be a force to reckon with.

Over the past four years, we’ve been left guessing about this team and the luminous signal emanating from the Ten Rings. It’s high time Marvel Studios shed some light on these intriguing mysteries.

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2025-09-03 15:14