Marvel Zombies has arrived, and never solely does it really feel like an Avengers-level crossover, nevertheless it’s the long-awaited (and much-deserved) return of Shang-Chi. The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s Multiverse Saga has been a blended bag. Detrimental reactions to some entries have led some followers to dismiss all the MCU, typically claiming that “the MCU ought to have stopped after Avengers: Endgame.” Clearly, the MCU has had many movies that folks like since Avengers: Endgame, however entries like Spider-Man: No Means Residence and Black Panther: Wakanda Ceaselessly have a tendency to return with some kind of caveat from many.
Nonetheless, remind somebody of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, and they’ll seemingly say one thing just like “Oh, I did like that one!” With a lot of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga movies targeted on sequels to already current characters, relaunches of established groups just like the Incredible 4, or team-ups like Thunderbolts*, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, together with Eternals, are the primary actually new MCU movie franchises since Captain Marvel in 2019. Eternals was not properly obtained, however Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was each a essential and monetary hit.
But regardless of how well-received Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was, Marvel Studios has did not capitalize on the movie’s and the character’s recognition. Regardless that the movie laid the groundwork for some thrilling teases, Shang-Chi has not appeared in live-action since 2021. Simu Liu has solely voiced the character in titles like What If…? and Marvel Zombies. Regardless that Simu Liu will return in Avengers: Doomsday, many have puzzled why it has taken so lengthy and why Marvel Studios did not launch a Shang-Chi sequel sooner, and why Marvel Zombies is probably the most distinguished follow-up for the breakout hero.
‘Shang-Chi’ Was a Hit for the MCU and Turned a Fan Favourite
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opened in theaters on Sept. 3, 2021. Launched throughout a time of uncertainty about audiences’ willingness to return to theaters after the COVID-19 pandemic, it served as a take a look at to see if the MCU, then the strongest model in movie, might draw viewers for a brand new hero, because it had for Physician Unusual, Ant-Man, and the Guardians of the Galaxy. It seems, they did. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opened to $75.5 million over the three-day weekend and $94.6 million over the four-day Labor Day weekend, turning into the largest Labor Day weekend in field workplace historical past. It was additionally the second-biggest opening weekend of the pandemic on the time, behind Black Widow‘s $80 million in July 2021.
With little competitors, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was the primary film on the field workplace for 4 weekends in a row. It grew to become the primary movie for the reason that COVID-19 pandemic to go $200 million domestically. It grossed $224.5 million domestically and $432.2 million worldwide. Whereas that’s low by MCU requirements, it’s value noting that it occurred at a time when audiences had been nonetheless skeptical about going to the films.
The opposite is that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was not granted a launch in China. Actually, following Spider-Man: Far From Residence in 2019, the subsequent MCU movie to obtain a Chinese language launch was 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Ceaselessly, so a part of the MCU’s potential loss in attraction within the Chinese language market may very well be attributed to audiences having missed out on six movies.
Even with a lower-than-normal MCU field workplace, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a field workplace hit by pandemic requirements and was a essential hit for the MCU, producing a 92% on Rotten Tomatoes at a median of seven.5/10 based mostly on 334 opinions, together with a 71 on Metacritic and an A CinemaScore from audiences. Marvel had efficiently launched a brand new marquee superhero to the franchise, and one which audiences appreciated, who might feasibly be pitched as a brand new anchor for the franchise, like Iron Man or Captain America. But within the 4 years since, the MCU has all however forgotten Shang-Chi as a personality and an idea by failing to capitalize on his recognition.
Why Has Marvel Not Made a Shang-Chi Sequel?
One would assume that after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings opened, Marvel Studios would have fast-tracked a sequel. In spite of everything, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 was introduced earlier than Guardians of the Galaxy opened in theaters. Marvel Studios introduced Ant-Man and the Wasp three months after Ant-Man opened in theaters and had the movie out inside three years of the heroes’ first movie. Marvel did announce plans for Shang-Chi 2 in December 2021, together with an general cope with the film’s director, Destin Daniel Cretton. 4 years later, and no progress has been made. With a deal in place, why did not Cretton shortly start work on Shang-Chi 2, seemingly aiming for a 2024 launch date if it might have prevented the WGA and SAG-AFTA strikes?
Marvel Studios appreciated Cretton a lot that they connected him to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in July 2022, during which Shang-Chi was set to have a serious position. Marvel Studios might have introduced in one other director to develop Shang-Chi 2 whereas Cretton labored on Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Nonetheless, given Cretton’s key position in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings‘ success, Marvel Studios seemingly needed to maintain him creatively concerned, holding off on the sequel that Cretton might direct after Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.
It seems that Marvel Studios needed Shang-Chi to comply with the same sample as Thor and Captain America, who adopted their reasonable hit solo movies with roles in The Avengers, setting the stage for his or her sequels to get the Avengers field workplace bump. The important thing distinction, although, was that The Avengers got here out a yr after Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger. In distinction, had The Kang Dynasty been launched on its 2025 date, it might nonetheless have been 4 years for the reason that launch of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
That was all for nothing, as Cretton would depart The Kang Dynasty in November 2023. That was wasted time he might have spent on growing a Shang-Chi sequel. Cretton is not even engaged on Shang-Chi 2 instantly, as he’s at present directing Spider-Man: Model New Day, which is able to open earlier than Avengers: Doomsday and Shang-Chi’s subsequent appearances.
Did Marvel Studios maintain off on fast-tracking a Shang-Chi sequel due to China’s objections to the primary movie and a possible need to regain good relations with the nation? There isn’t any proof of that but, and given how MCU movies have underperformed in China lately, the MCU must cease counting on the nation to assist its slate. This would possibly imply a lower in some movies’ budgets, however the days of $1 billion being the usual metric of success are a factor of a pre-COVID-19 world.
MCU’s Makes an attempt To Capitalize on Shang-Chi (And Missed Alternatives)
Whereas it’s disappointing to attend 5 years for Shang-Chi to get a sequel, that did not essentially must be a foul factor. Physician Unusual within the Multiverse of Insanity opened six years after Physician Unusual, however most followers might not have realized it, since Physician Unusual had common appearances throughout the MCU. Only one yr after his solo movie, Physician Unusual appeared in Thor: Ragnarok in 2017, adopted by Avengers: Infinity Battle in 2018, Avengers: Endgame in 2019, after which a break because of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. He returned in Spider-Man: No Means Residence in 2021, with the discharge of Multiverse of Insanity 5 months later.
In six years, Benedict Cumberbatch appeared as Physician Unusual in six live-action MCU tasks and a voice position in What If…?. Examine that to Simu Liu, who, since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, didn’t seem once more till What If…? Season 3 in 2024 and now in Marvel Zombies in 2025, each occasions voicing variants of his MCU character.
Whereas the four-year hole between Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings to now is similar as between Iron Man and The Avengers, the truth that the variety of MCU entries since 2021 is greater than triple that of Part One makes Shang-Chi’s absence extra notable. The Infinity Saga made its universe really feel lived-in and stored characters within the public thoughts by having them make cameos in different tasks; it might have made sense to do the identical with Shang-Chi, having cameos in different MCU titles.
Even when there weren’t apparent alternatives for Shang-Chi to make cameo appearances, choices did exist. Since he’s in San Francisco, it might have made sense to present him a cameo originally of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, as Scott Lang and Hope van Dyne are additionally situated in the identical metropolis.
With She-Hulk: Legal professional at Regulation tying straight into the occasions of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, it might have made sense to present Simu Liu a small cameo, both as a witness in Abomination’s case and even simply as a determine on tv being interviewed. There have been loads of possibilities for the MCU to flesh out Shang-Chi’s place within the franchise, however they have not, leaving some viewers members to neglect the character.
Fortunately, he has a considerable position in Marvel Zombies, and the animated collection not solely showcases what the character can do in an Avengers-level scenario, but in addition hints at a flirtatious dynamic between Yelena Belova and friendship with Ms. Marvel that may very well be explored within the sacred timeline. With the MCU seemingly set to have a gentle reset after Avengers: Secret Wars, hopefully Marvel Studios remembers Shang-Chi extra and never solely offers him his long-awaited sequel however makes him a pillar of the franchise shifting ahead alongside the likes of the X-Males and the Incredible 4. Marvel Zombies is streaming on Disney+.
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September 24, 2025
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Disney+
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Bryan Andrews
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Marvel Cinematic Universe