A Major MCU Mystery Is Still Unsolved (But I Already Know When the Answer Might Come)

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4 years ago, on September 3rd, 2021, the movie “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” made its theater debut, introducing a powerful new character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This film was well-received by critics, appreciated for its impressive action scenes and sincere portrayal of Asian culture, which differentiated it from other MCU productions. Additionally, Shang-Chi earned over $432 million globally during a time when the world was still grappling with the pandemic, and solidified Simu Liu as an engaging new talent for the series. Yet, despite its successful launch and the movie’s conclusion hinting at a broader universe connection, plans for a “Shang-Chi” sequel have yet to be announced.

One of Marvel Studio’s most puzzling creative choices is Shang-Chi’s disappearance from the Multiverse Saga following Avengers: Endgame. With the original Avengers either deceased, retired, or taking a back seat, the Marvel Cinematic Universe was in need of fresh characters to drive the story forward. Shang-Chi seemed ideally suited to take on this role, serving as a cornerstone for the next wave of heroes. However, his narrative has been left hanging instead.”

The “Making the situation more frustrating is the mid-credits scene’s tantalizing mystery that directly involves the Avengers and leaves it hanging for audiences to ponder over for four years.

The Avengers and the Beacon of the Ten Rings

In simpler terms, during a scene after the main credits of the movie “Shang-Chi”, the character was introduced to the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s superhero group for the first time. This scene also hinted at a more expansive cosmic narrative in future stories.
The sequence starts with Shang-Chi and Katy (played by Awkwafina) sharing their story with friends when Wong (Benedict Wong) suddenly arrives through a portal, inviting them on an important mission. They are then led to a library in the Sanctum, where they meet holograms of Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo), no longer transformed as Smart Hulk, and Carol Danvers (Brie Larson). The reason for this gathering is to study the Ten Rings that Shang-Chi now possesses.

After gathering together, the group swiftly realizes that these rings are unlike anything they’ve encountered before. Banner verifies they aren’t made of Vibranium, and Danvers points out they aren’t Chitauri tech or any other alien technology she’s familiar with. Wong notes that there isn’t a match for the rings in Kamar-Taj’s archives. Further examination shows that Shang-Chi’s father had them for a millennium, but the rings are far older. The crucial revelation arises when Wong explains that during the final battle, Shang-Chi using the rings caused them to emit a mysterious signal. The team concurs that the rings appear to be sending a message, yet they’re uncertain about who or where it’s intended, leaving an enigmatic mystery at the heart of Shang-Chi’s journey ahead.

Avengers: Doomsday Must Solve the Mystery of the Ten Rings

In the process of crafting “Shang-Chi,” the Marvel Cinematic Universe was weaving a narrative that pointed toward Kang the Conqueror, portrayed by Jonathan Majors, as the next major adversary. This setup sparked numerous fan theories, with many speculating that the Ten Rings were linked to the villain’s time-traveling tech or hailed from another dimension like the Quantum Realm. However, Marvel Studios later shifted gears from this narrative, and now the franchise is gearing up for a showdown against Doctor Doom, played by Robert Downey Jr. With Simu Liu set to reappear in “Avengers: Doomsday,” the movie emerges as the ideal platform to finally unravel the enigma of the rings.

Initially, the ongoing enigma of Shang-Chi serves as the key link between him and the Avengers. His appearance in “Doomsday” suggests that he has maintained contact with other superheroes, and it’s implied they’ve spent years researching the rings. To make the crossover convincing, the film needs to reveal their findings. Conversely, neglecting the mystery could render the initial post-credits scene irrelevant and weaken Shang-Chi’s connection to the larger universe.

In a creative twist, Doomsday could unveil the mysterious purpose behind the rings, potentially showing they are relics imbued with magical or cosmic powers that Doctor Doom wishes to command. Alternatively, their distinct signal might link them to other dimensions, contributing significantly to the upcoming multiverse conflict. Whatever the truth about their origin becomes, by shedding light on the beacon’s function, Marvel will address a four-year-old plot thread and underscore Shang-Chi’s role in the larger storyline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

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

What are your thoughts on the authentic source of the Ten Rings, and in what way do you envision this linking up with Doctor Doom?

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2025-09-04 16:10