Shang-Chi 2: Cast, Story & Everything We Know

Shang-Chi 2 is officially confirmed, and fans are eager to know everything about its potential release date, story details, and returning cast. Shang-Chi was one of the first characters Marvel Studios planned to develop a movie for back when plans for what became the MCU began in the mid-2000s. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until 2021 that Shang-Chi finally managed to get his own solo film on the big screen, but Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings formally introduced Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in a big way — one which more than creates room for Shang-Chi 2.

With a story connected to the MCU without those connections being overbeating, Shang Chi was joined by his best friend Katy (Awkwafina), his sister Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), his father Wenwu (Tony Leung), and his aunt Ying Nan (Michelle Yeoh). Ultimately, it culminated in him going to Kamar-Taj and potentially being recruited to become an Avenger — or, at least being put on the Avengers’ radar. But that’s only the beginning. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was clearly the first step for the character, and it ended in such a way that sets up a huge future for him, Katy, Xialing, and the Ten Rings organization in Shang-Chi 2.

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Latest Shang-Chi 2 News

While Shang-Chi 2 is confirmed, there’s been little in the way of hard news around the sequel to Simu Liu’s MCU debut. It’s not listed on Marvel’s current MCU Phase 5 and 6 lineup, although it may be one of the “secret” unconfirmed projects attached to a handful of unannounced MCU movies in 2024 and 2025. However, there has been some Shang-Chi 2 news worth noting since it was initially confirmed. As reported by The Direct in February 2023, Shang-Chi 2 is allegedly now on Marvel Studio’s production calendar. While there are no guarantees, there is a possibility Shang-Chi returns for a second adventure before The Multiverse Saga concludes.

Shang-Chi 2 Confirmed & Release Date Information

When Marvel Studios released their slate of Phase 5 and 6 movies, Shang-Chi 2 wasn’t among them. Deadline broke the news in December 2021 that a sequel is definitely on the way, but there is no release date yet. That could be due to director Deston Daniel Cretton being the only confirmed creative behind the scenes so far. Cretton is also committed to directing Avengers: The Kang Dynasty in the MCU’s Phase 6. It’s unlikely that Shang-Chi 2 will be filmed until after the fifth Avengers movie. 2025 or 2026 is likely the earliest audiences will be getting another Shang-Chi movie at this point unless a different director helms the project.

Shang-Chi 2 Cast Prediction

Shang-Chi 2 would, of course, see Simu Liu return as Shang-Chi and Awkwafina as Katy, since they’re the core duo in the first film and were brought into the world of superheroes by Wong. Michelle Yeoh might also return as Shang-Chi’s aunt, though she is, so far, unconfirmed, as is the case for most of the cast. Meng’er Zhang should also return now that she’s the head of the MCU’s Ten Rings organization, even though she doesn’t have the actual Ten Rings – her brother does.

Benedict Wong has become the connective tissue for the MCU, making several appearances outside the Doctor Strange franchise. His appearance in the first Shang-Chi movie featured the character battling Abomination in an underground fight club for powered individuals, which paid off with appearances from both characters in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law on Disney+, but the second appearance from the character could be paid off in Shang-Chi 2.

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Wong has become an integral part of what is left of the Avengers organization in the MCU. Wong appeared at the end of Shang-Chi to question the titular character and his friend Katy about the properties of the Ten Rings. Just where the Ten Rings originated in the MCU could be a storyline that will involve Wong and his expertise in magical artifacts.

Shang-Chi 2 Story Details

Shang-Chi 2‘s story is the biggest wildcard. Marvel isn’t always setting up direct sequels anymore; instead, one movie may lead into a TV show, and vice versa. So, Shang-Chi 2 may not have anything to do with what actually happened in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. One thing that should see more screen time in Shang-Chi 2, though, is Ta-Lo and the history of Shang-Chi’s hidden world. There’s so much there that remains unanswered, and his learning about his powers — not just those that come from the Ten Rings — would be crucial to his characterization.

Right now, all the potential story details for Shang-Chi 2 are rooted in fan theories and speculation. There is a possibility that Shang-Chi 2 could be one of the as-yet-unannounced Phase 6 movies. That could mean his story could tie into the larger Avengers: The Kang Dynasty storyline. Without more information from Marvel, however, fan theories will only continue building about the possible Shang-Chi 2 story.

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