This is not Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. Marvel Studios surprised everyone this morning as the studio released the first trailer for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings starring Simu Liu.
This Phase Four Marvel film is the first film to introduce a new hero to the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe). The character was conceived in late 1972. Marvel had wished to acquire the rights to adapt the Kung Fu television program, but were denied permission by the show’s owner, Warner Communications, owner of Marvel’s rival, DC Comics.
Marvel then acquired the comic book rights to Sax Rohmer’s pulp villain Dr. Fu Manchu. They developed Shang-Chi, a master of kung Fu.
A look at the trailer delivers some visual punches (and kicks). It feels like a mixture of James Bond and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. We get confirmation that the ten rings are being portrayed very differently from the comic books. They resemble bracelets as opposed to rings for fingers.
We also see Razor Fist in action. But the real joy is seeing titular character Shang-Chi himself taking out his opponents. And of course there’s Awkwafina adding the comedy. Have a look below:
RELATED: Get over here and look at the Mortal Kombat trailer!
And there is a poster:
It’s probably no surprise that Marvel would release the trailer just days ahead of Warner Bros. Mortal Kombat reboot. But hey that’s marketing for you.
Here’s the official description: Marvel Studios’ ‘Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings’ stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.”
The movie also stars Tony Leung as Wenwu, Awkwafina as Shang-Chi’s friend Katy and Michelle Yeoh as Jiang Nan, as well as Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu and Ronny Chieng. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton from a screenplay by David Callahan, Destin Daniel Cretton, and Andrew Lanham.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will punch its way into theaters, and not Disney+, on September 3rd, 2021.