What’s Next In The MCU For Every Shang-Chi Character?

Where will every character from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings appear next? The live-action debut of Shang-Chi brought together a talented cast with plenty of potential for future appearances in upcoming MCU movies and Disney+ shows. Not only did Shang-Chi open the door for direct sequels and team-ups down the line but also fixed several flaws from previous titles, such as the MCU’s lack of Asian representation and the mischaracterization of the legendary Mandarin.

So far in Marvel Studios’ plan for Phase 4, there are no titles that outwardly include any of the main characters from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. With movies like Eternals, Spider-Man: No Way Home, and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness filled to the brim with major MCU players, it’s unlikely that Shang-Chi’s next adventure will cross over with any of these events. It’s also unlikely that the MCU’s newest superhero will travel to space to join Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder or to the Quantum Realm to join Ant-Man’s team in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.

As unlikely as it is for Shang-Chi to rush into one of these universe-and-multiverse-threatening events right after his origin story, it’s even less probable that Marvel will keep such a well-received character in standby for so long. With that in mind, there are actually several places Shang-Chi, his friends, his family, and even his villains could show up in the near future.

Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi’s impressive fighting skills, together with his possession of the Ten Rings, make him a perfect member of the new Avengers lineup. The mid-credits scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings proved that Bruce Banner and Captain Marvel know this, as they give their welcome to the fighter and promise to keep an eye on the Ten Rings. With Wenwu’s mystical artifacts, Shang-Chi could be powerful enough to face the MCU’s next biggest villains in a high-stakes event such as Avengers 5 or Secret Invasion. Without them, he’s still capable o take on the more grounded threats that plague the world, perhaps appearing as a surprise character in Armor Wars or Captain America 4.

Now that Shang-Chi has made connections with Wong, Bruce Banner, and Carol Danvers, these Avengers could contact him whenever they collect information about the Ten Rings or whenever they need an amazing martial artist. Whatever signal the Ten Rings are emitting could be further explained in The Marvels, but the technology to decipher it could very well be located in Wakanda, where Shuri could examine the Rings during Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Simu Liu has stated that he doesn’t know when he’ll play Shang-Chi again, but it’s safe to say that Marvel will find him at least one spot in a movie or show before the inevitable sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Katy Chen

Unlike many non-superhero supporting characters in comic books, movies, and shows, Awkwafina’s Katy Chen jumps right into the action from the very beginning in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Despite not having any kind of extensive training, Katy excels with the bow and arrow in the final battle, and by the mid-credits scene, she’s prepared to join Shang-Chi in his next adventure. Not that she expects to be welcomed to the Avengers by Wong, the inexplicably-human-looking Bruce Banner, and Captain Marvel, however, but now that she’s in, she’s expected to appear alongside Shang-Chi in any of his future appearances before a Shang-Chi sequel.

Xialing

The post-credits scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings makes it clear that Xialing finally got control over her father’s empire. As the new ruler of the Ten Rings organization, she’s expected to become a huge threat in the MCU. Shang-Chi confirmed that “The Ten Rings Will Return”, but like Shang-Chi himself, there are no upcoming projects that have included Xialing as a supporting character or a cameo yet. However, the Ten Rings organization could appear as soon as Hawkeye, with Xialing pulling the strings from the shadows. It’s also possible that her underlings will appear as secondary antagonists in Disney+ shows like Ms. Marvel, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, and especially Ironheart — where Riri Williams could face off against the Ten Rings years after the terrorists kidnapped her mentor, Tony Stark. Xialing would be an essential character in the Shang-Chi sequel as well.

Wenwu

Tony Leung made Wenwu, Marvel’s Mandarin, the intimidating villain he always should have been. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings clarified that Wenwu is a legendary warlord who received permanent youth and an immense amount of power from the Ten Rings, which allowed him to build his empire and influence the world in secret. Although Wenwu died fighting the Dweller-in-Darkness in Shang-Chi, it would be amazing to see one of his past battles fleshed out on screen. Shang-Chi teased various lifetimes’ worth of stories featuring Wenwu in the form of flashbacks, and a future title could focus on at least one of them. With the MCU just beginning to dip its toes in this part of the universe, it’s not hard to imagine a Wenwu-centered Disney+ show that harnesses Tony Leung’s extraordinary acting chops. For now, the most likely title to include Wenwu in flashbacks would be Shang-Chi 2, with a cameo in Eternals as another possibility.

Trevor Slattery

Ben Kingsley’s Trevor Slattery has survived various appearances against all odds. He could have been killed in the conflict between Iron Man and Aldrick Killian in Iron Man 3, Wenwu could have sent someone to kill him in the All Hail the King One-Shot, and he could have been punished for escaping or died during the final battle in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. There’s no reason for him to appear in future movies besides Shang-Chi 2 now that he’s enjoying his newfound freedom, but given his popularity and his tendency to seek out problems, it’s possible that Trevor and his adorable best friend Morris will tag along in Shang-Chi’s next adventure or in Xialing’s plans as the new leader of the Ten Rings.

Jiang Nan

Out of all the characters in Shang-Chi, Jiang Nan has the most secure future in the MCU. Her responsibilities remain in Ta Lo, taking care of the aftermath of Wenwu and Shang-Chi’s battle against Dweller-In-Darkness. It’s safe to say Michelle Yeoh will reprise her role in a Shang-Chi sequel, which could see Jiang Nan confront Xialing for becoming the leader of the Ten Rings.

Razor Fist and Death Dealer

Razor Fist may be one of the most determined (and competent) henchmen in the MCU, as he managed to survive Shang-Chi, Wenwu, and Dweller-in-Darkness. He was clever enough to join the good guys during the final battle, but he may not be peaceful for long. If Florian Monteanu’s Razor Fist doesn’t choose to stay in Ta Lo, he could become a future villain for street-level heroes like Kate Bishop, Echo, Moon Knight, or Daredevil. As for Death Dealer, it’s unlikely he will return after having his soul sucked by Dweller-In-Darkness.

Wong

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings proves that Wong is becoming a Nick Fury-like figure in the MCU. Benedict Wong’s character will appear next in Spider-Man: No Way Home, which will likely explain where he’s moving while Doctor Strange and Peter Parker unleash the Multiverse. After that, She-Hulk may explain what’s the real connection between him and Abomination. Finally, Avengers 5 may have him as a major player, as he’s the one that connected Shang-Chi with Bruce Banner and Captain Marvel. Before Avengers 5 happens, expect more than one appearance from the Master of the Mystic Arts.

Abomination

Abomination’s cameo in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was short, but it set up future storylines for the villain. Tim Roth will reprise his The Incredible Hulk role in She-Hulk, where Emil Blonsky might enjoy a rematch against Bruce Banner and might instead be defeated by Jennifer Walters. She-Hulk could explain why Wong seemed to be breaking him out of prison for clandestine cage matches, but it could be until the Thunderbolts or the Dark Avengers team up for the first time that Abomination will become a world-threatening villain, perhaps with the help of Baron Zemo or Valentina Allegra de Fontaine.

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