‘Shang-Chi’ Marvel’s First Asian Film Superhero Franchise; Dave Callaham Scripting, Search On For Director Of Asian Descents Marvel Studios is fast-tracking Shang-Chi to be its first superhero movie tentpole franchise with an Asian protagonist. The studio has set Chinese-American scribe Dave Callaham to write the screenplay, and Deadline hears Marvel is already looking at a number of Asian and Asian-American directors who want to do something as potentially monumental as was accomplished in Marvel’s first viable Best Picture candidate, Black Panther. Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition #15 in December 1973, hatched by Steve Englehert and Jim Starlin. The script will modernize the hero to avoid stereotypes that many comic characters of that era were saddled with. The comic launched around the time that Enter the Dragon became a global sensation and martial arts films raged. In the comics, Shang-Chi is the son of Fu Manchu, who raised and educated his progeny in his reclusive China compound, closed off to the outside world. The son trained in the martial arts and developed unsurpassed skills. He is eventually introduced to the outside world to do his father’s bidding, and then has to come to grips with the fact his revered father Fu Manchu might not be the humanitarian he has claimed to be and is closer to what others call him: The Devil’s Doctor.
Can't say I've heard of this character. But in light of how well Wonder Woman and Black Panther did with audiences, you can bet that major studios are going to jump on that diversity train. Plus, as far as martial arts goes within the MCU, you can only go up from Iron Fist.
I'm excited for this the most out of all the new MCU films in development. Widow, Eternals, etc.. How long until Henry Golding is cast?
Well, guess Iron Fist will never be rebooted with Marvel Studios now. There’s no way Marvel will ever bother with Danny Rand in the MCU when they have this character.
This would be a good flick in which to introduce the "Real" Mandarin teased in "All Hail the King". He would make a solid Fu Manchu replacement if the MCU is going with Shang-Chi's comic book origin as the son of an infamous crime lord. I would have loved to have seen Jimmy Woo in the film, but I thought Randall Park's version in AM&TW was a bit of a dud. And his involvement wouldn't make sense unless Marvel Studios sets the movie in the U.S.
It's like Marvel waited until the Netflix stuff was done to start working on this lol. I thought Shang-Chi would get TV show at best not a movie. I hope it has some of the best fights in the MCU
And I've already seen people complaining that "Why's the first Asian hero gotta be 'Martial arts guy'?!" I said it when the IF controversy hit, Marvel's damned if they do, damned if they don't on this one
however obscure the character, i understand why they're doing it ..but with this and eternals and all the sequels that they need to announce.. it looks like its gonna be a looong time before we get f4 and x-men films and that's just frustrating to me :/ i see a lot of people jumping on the bandwagon just because its marvel and im not saying i won't be one of them when the first trailer drops, but for now - meh.
Aww. Hell yeah! Asian, Kung-fu, and Marvel? Count me in! Oh man, if only Jet Li wasn't past his prime.. Tony Jaa?? They'll prob cast an unknown but I do want a person that can move and be somewhat versed with martial arts.
eh, to most Americans Tony Jaa IS unknown, so maybe depends how well he can pull off that whole 'acting' thing
I doubt very Iron Fist will be in it at all. Though if Finn Jones cameo'd, despite him being the Defender I am most okay with being replaced/recast, I would be happy. Would put the debate on if the Netflix shows are MCU or not to rest. But again, I highly doubt Iron Fist will be in it. Maybe at best, the dragon Shao Lao will be mentioned or something. At best.
I love the Matrix and what Keanu was able to pull off.. But in my eyes, his Kung-fu was only passable. It's kind of tame if you're use to watching the earlier HK cinema even though it was the same legendary choreographer they used in the movie. I think they've gotta step it up for Shang-Chi.
Agree. Love his skills but I've never been sold on aptitude as an actor and charisma. I'm thinking Marvel will look for that first and foremost.
They won't just use some martial artist type, they';ll find an asian dude that is an actor first and foremost and then train his ass.
Thank God, Marvel Stud10s aren't putting him in the wasteland, that is Marvel Television. Stoked for Shang Chi!