When Will Marvel's Shang-Chi Sequel Happen?

As a seasoned gamer and a die-hard Marvel fan with a soft spot for the Asian representation in these films, I must say, the news about Destin Daniel Cretton directing Spider-Man 4 has me both thrilled and perplexed. On one hand, I’m excited to see him bring his unique storytelling to the web-slinger’s next adventure. On the other, I can’t help but wonder if that means Shang-Chi‘s journey is taking a temporary backseat at Marvel Studios.

I was thrilled as a Marvel fan last night when I heard about an exciting update regarding the forthcoming Marvel movies. It appears that Sony Pictures has finally locked down a director for Spider-Man 4, none other than Destin Daniel Cretton. This isn’t his first dance with Marvel; he directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in the Marvel Cinematic Universe back in 2022, and was also attached to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty when it was still titled as such.

By the end of 2021, following the premiere of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” it was announced that Destin Daniel Cretton would continue in a dual role as both writer and director for the sequel, with Simu Liu also set to reprise his character. Since then, information about the “Shang-Chi 2” has been scarce, aside from Liu hinting that it might come out after “Kang Dynasty.” More recent news suggested that Liu’s Shang-Chi would have a crucial part in Cretton’s “Kang Dynasty,” but this may no longer be the case since the film has been reshaped into “Avengers: Doomsday” under the direction of Joe and Anthony Russo.

It seems quite likely that Shang-Chi’s adventures in the MCU aren’t finished yet, with fans speculating he might show up in Spider-Man 4. However, it remains uncertain if or when a Shang-Chi sequel will occur, considering the foundational work the MCU has already established. Firstly, Spider-Man 4 is likely to be released in cinemas promptly, allowing Tom Holland’s Peter Parker/Spider-Man to transition into Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. Following that film, director Destin Daniel Cretton is also involved with a live-action Naruto adaptation at Lionsgate, which might take precedence as his next project. This could imply that Shang-Chi 2 may not begin production for several more years, which would be almost half a decade since the initial film hit theaters.

While it’s true that the MCU has taken its time with certain storylines in the past, introducing Shang-Chi and his world after such a long break would indeed be an interesting test. It’s speculated that he might have a significant role to play in future events like Doomsday and Secret Wars. Meanwhile, we could see Xialing, Shang-Chi’s sister portrayed by Meng’er Zhang, temporarily leading the Ten Rings organization and potentially transforming into a criminal mastermind. This plotline might be put on hold for now, unlike in the past when a Disney+ series might have been developed under the old Marvel Studios regime. However, there’s still plenty of story potential for a Shang-Chi sequel if it were to happen. We’ll just have to wait and see if a Shang-Chi 2 becomes a focus for Marvel Studios in the future, but it’s not entirely unimaginable.

2024-09-10 05:09

When Will Marvel’s Shang-Chi Sequel Happen?

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