![Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/smzp5b4gm6wimru6jlem/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings-01.jpg?downsize=700%3A%2A&output-quality=auto&output-format=auto)
Marvel’s newest film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, comes full circle on the narrative arc of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Ever since Iron Man 3 in 2013, we’ve been led to believe that The Mandarin, the leader behind the terrorist global syndicate the Ten Rings, was fabricated. The “real” villain, Aldrich Killian, used the Mandarin as a bogeyman to distract the populace, while he went about accomplishing his real goal of weaponizing the Extremis virus.
The whole thing felt like whitewashing. The MCU has an unfortunate history of erasing its Asian characters: Yinsen in Iron Man. The Mandarin in Iron Man 3. The Ancient One in Doctor Strange. But now, we finally have what we wanted from the start: the real Mandarin, in all his villainous glory, and a feature-length film with extensive world-building, starring an all-star Asian cast. The initial reviews have been stellar—with many calling Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings the best MCU film since Black Panther (2018).
If you primarily know and love Marvel from the movies, you may have never heard of Shang-Chi, who is not as well-known as Spider-Man, Thor, or Hulk. But as Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) demonstrated, all it takes is a good director, a solid script, and a stellar cast to change that overnight. Here is a quick primer on Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings before you head out to the theater this weekend.
When does the movie come out?
View this video on YouTube
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings hits theaters on Friday, September 3. Due to the pandemic, Marvel pushed the movie back three times; its original release date was February 12, 2021, which would have been the first day of the Chinese New Year.
How can I see 'Shang-Chi'?
![Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/t64odptll8snawx0pccz/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings.jpg)
There's a Delta variant going around. I don't want to get sick.
View this video on YouTube
Find a theater that employs safety guidelines. The Delta variant is contagious, but if you wear a mask and you’re vaccinated, it’ll cut down the risk of infection, and if you catch it, you’ll likely dodge the most serious symptoms. That said, use your head. Figure out, based on the science, what you would consider to be a negotiable, reasonable risk.
Personally, I’m watching Shang-Chi at a drive-in theater, which eliminates the infection risk almost entirely. Drive-ins have become increasingly popular over the past year and a half. If you haven’t made Labor Day weekend plans yet, this might make for a nice overnight trip.
Who is Shang-Chi? This is the first time I'm hearing about him.
![Shang-Chi](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ppsxpainienwy8zm528v/shang-chi-marvel-comics.jpg)
Dr. Fu Manchu. Isn't he the guy with the long moustache?
![Fu Manchu](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/buixanfnlmdw1gean5sv/fu-manchu.jpg)
How does the movie version of Shang-Chi differ from the comics version?
![Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/j41etu1ohq66tdclgoiw/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings-03.jpg)
Who's starring in 'Shang-Chi'?
View this video on YouTube
Asian Canadian actor Simu Liu (Blood in Water, Kim’s Convenience) stars as Shang-Chi. Akwafina (Crazy Rich Asians, Raya and the Last Dragon, Nora From Queens) plays Katy, one of Shang’s closest friends. Tony Leung (In the Mood for Love, Hero, Infernal Affairs) plays Wenwu/The Mandarin, who is reimagined as Shang-Chi’s father.
Meng’er Zhang plays Xialing, Shang-Chi’s sister and Wenwu’s daughter. Fala Chen plays Shang-Chi’s mother. Michelle Yeoh plays Shang-Chi’s aunt.
Benedict Wong has a cameo appearance as Wong, reprising the character he originated in Doctor Strange.
There's plenty of Asians in front of the camera. But what about behind the camera?
![Destin Daniel Cretton speaks the Marvel Studios Panel during 2019 Comic Con](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/wig0xrqosqgcgkkuranj/destin-daniel-cretton-comic-con-2019.jpg)
Who are the villains?
View this video on YouTube
In addition to the Mandarin, the other two villains we know of are Razorfist and Abomination. Razorfist (Florian Munteanu) is probably best known in the comics for his role in the 2015 Secret Wars storyline, where he was an enforcer and assassin for the Ten Rings and had mastered the art of making his hands razor-sharp.
The last time we saw Abomination was in The Incredible Hulk (2008). Abomination appears again in this movie, in an all-out, dark web cage fight. He is portrayed by character actor Tim Roth, reprising his role.
What do we know so far from the trailers?
View this video on YouTube
We know that this is a family story, about a man who realizes that his father does terrible things and that his lineage has a bloody legacy. He tries denying it and running away from it, but he learns that he cannot escape his past and must confront it. It is the classic superhero narrative, exemplified by the iconic Stan Lee quote, “With great power comes great responsibility.” But it’s colored by the additional weight and angst of Asian filial piety.
The movie leans heavily into its mysticism. There are lots of magical sequences in the trailer, and many of the fighters have a lighter-than-air grace that pays homage to the wuxia films of the ‘70s.
Lastly, there’s humor. There’s the signature Marvel humor, of course—the quippy, self-referential one-liners that humanize the characters and prevent them from being insufferable. But there’s also a very Chinese, slapstick sort of humor, based on physical comedy and pratfalls, that is best exemplified by Jackie Chan. When you watch the movie’s fights, watch them like a kung fu fan. Consider the hand-to-hand fight scenes as self-contained narratives unto themselves, with their own callbacks and inside jokes.
How are the reviews looking?
![Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/s5nmdoesycpbrytvjsnv/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings-04.jpg)
Is there anything else we need to know?
![Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings](https://img.buzzfeed.com/buzzfeed-static/complex/images/ztpb5nfrxtzg6pdt7j97/shang-chi-and-the-legend-of-the-ten-rings-05.jpg)