Reports Reveal Shang-Chi’s Next Moves: Avengers Role, Sequel Plans, and Big Phase 7 Surprises

‘Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ was a surprise success for Marvel. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, it stars Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, who has to face his past when his father, Wenwu, the leader of the Ten Rings, involves him and his sister Xialing in a search for a mystical village. The cast also includes Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Ben Kingsley, and Tony Leung.

In December 2021, work started on a sequel with Cretton returning as writer and director. Simu Liu was set to return and said he wanted to explore Shang-Chi’s “newfound power” with the Ten Rings and how he fits into the Marvel universe.

By July 2023, Liu admitted the sequel’s timeline was uncertain. In November, Cretton left his role as director of ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ to focus on the ‘Shang-Chi’ sequel, which is now set to start filming in March 2025.

Shang-Chi is set to be a key character in the animated miniseries ‘Marvel Zombies,’ but beyond that, nothing has been officially announced. However, industry insider Alex Perez shared some insights during a December Discord AMA.

Perez teased a new Avengers team featuring Shang-Chi, Captain Marvel, Bruce Banner, and Wong. This unexpected lineup raises questions about the absence of other big names like Sam Wilson, Bucky, Ant-Man, and the Thunderbolts.

According to Perez, ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ will explore why these characters aren’t part of the new team and reveal the bigger impact on the MCU’s main timeline (Earth-616). He also hinted at drama when Sam Wilson learns about the new Avengers, especially since it includes Bucky, who was once seen as a villain.

Shang-Chi is going to be a part of the Avengers formed by Carol Danvers, Bruce Banner, & Wong. It’s interesting, isn’t it? Because where is Sam? Where is Bucky? Where’s Ant-Man? Where are the Thunderbolts? That’s going to be a question Doomsday will answer in terms of problems for the 616. Because imagine how Sam’s going to react when he sees that there is an Avengers, but they’re composed of former villains and one of the members is Bucky. That’s going to be a very interesting scene to play out.

Perez mentioned that Destin Daniel Cretton has ideas for a ‘Shang-Chi’ sequel, which might include the Atlas Foundation. However, the delay isn’t because of ‘Avengers 5’ or ‘Spider-Man 4.’ It’s just not the right time to start the project yet.

I know Destin has ideas for a Shang-Chi sequel, one of which has to do with the Atlas Foundation. And it’s not really due to Avengers 5, or Spider-Man 4. It’s just not the right time yet.

It’s surprising since the Ten Rings were rumored to be as important in the new phases as the Infinity Stones were in Phases 1-3, along with Kamala’s bangle.

As for Shang-Chi’s role in the upcoming saga, even though the focus is on mutants, there’s still room for other stories, like Nova’s cosmic adventures, the magical Midnight Sons, and eventually Shang-Chi’s story.

Who said it was just gonna be about mutants? Sure, the main focus of the saga will be the introduction of the mutants, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only thing coming up. Just like the Multiverse Saga had other stories detached from the Multiverse, so does this next saga. It’s going to be a good saga for fans of the cosmic side of the MCU with Nova and Eternals. And there’s going to be a lot of fun supernatural stuff as well with the Midnight Sons.

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