There should be little doubt that the Marvel Cinematic Universe will start another solo superhero series after the success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. The movie has what could be seen as a standalone story of Shang-Chi protecting the village of Ta Lo from the Dweller-in-Darkness. However, his comic book version has had plenty of adventures that can be adapted.
There are also elements derived from the comics that will offer a detailed backstory or set up his future in the MCU. Should these things be brought to the big screen, then fans will understand the many ins and outs of who Shang-Chi is in the source material.
The Presence Of Shang-Chi’s Half-Siblings
Among the many questions that fans had about Shang-Chi before the movie’s release, the topic of his family was most frequent. The MCU brought in a new sibling in the form of Xialing who is an amalgamation of Shang-Chi’s brothers and sisters in the comics.
His father’s millennia of existence brought with it many secrets, with Shang-Chi learning about several half-siblings. He has five sisters known so far to go with four brothers. The MCU should adapt at least one of these to tie in with Wenwu’s past. Shang-Chi has always had an antagonistic relationship with his siblings in the comics and the MCU can place one of these characters as the next villain.
Shang-Chi’s Mastery Of Chi
His status as a master of Kung Fu was a comic detail included in Shang-Chi, but the titular character was made out to simply be adept at martial arts. The comics have shown that he has mastered his inner energy so well that he can detect it in other beings – this is known as chi. It is so great that he could detect the Phoenix force Jeany Grey in X-Men vol 2. #62.
The MCU sequel will be taking things to a larger scale and Shang-Chi should have additional abilities to make use of. Being in tune with chi will provide him with a unique skill that isn’t a stereotypical power and can be explained as the character making use of his training in Ta Lo.
Shang-Chi Taking On The Abilities Of Other Heroes
Shang-Chi has always been a superhero who’s made use of his natural abilities and hasn’t had super abilities like others. However, there have been times where he’s either borrowed other characters’ powers or been handed equipment to power himself up.
In The Avengers vol. 5 #3, Shang-Chi was handed a pair of gauntlets to focus his chi and increase his strength by Tony Stark. In Avengers World, he borrowed Pym particles to become a giant version of himself. The MCU can deliver on this aspect by having the likes of Wong bestow Shang-Chi with superpowers, or Bruce Banner’s being Shang-Chi’s technological benefactor in the sequel.
Shang-Chi’s Training Of Captain America & Spider-Man
Spider-Man is right at the top of the list of characters Shang-Chi should meet in the MCU and the version in this franchise certainly needs additional training. The sequel can feature Peter Parker as a student of Shang-Chi to show that the latter is now a master.
This took place in The Amazing Spider-Man #664, where Spider-Man was taught a new martial arts technique by Shang-Chi, dubbed as the Way of the Spider. Bringing Peter Parker in a Shang-Chi movie would be fitting, given that they’re about the same age and Shang-Chi is set to meet additional Avengers.
Shang-Chi Forming An Independent Spy Agency
The partnership of Shang-Chi and Katy is one of the ways Shang-Chi set up its sequel and the movie can adapt an element from the comics to do so. After leaving his father, Shang-Chi started an independent spy agency known as Freelance Restorations.
Although the comics had different characters in this agency, the MCU can bring it forward to show Shang-Chi and Katy opening it up. It would make sense for their partnership to become official since MCU heroes don’t worry about secret identities, and Katy will have a reason to be involved without the benefit of having powers.
Shang-Chi As The Supreme Commander Of The Five Weapons Society
Shang-Chi’s father had multiple organizations he had hidden and these tend to show up with their own consequences. At one point, Shang-Chi learned his deceased father had named him the Supreme Commander of the Five Weapons Society and decided to take up the mantle.
With the MCU version giving up the rule of the Ten Rings organization to Xialing, the Five Weapons Society can be a way for the series to place the character in a leadership position. Its status as a secret faction will work with Shang-Chi’s reluctance to be out in the open and the sequel could show his attempts to learn how to be a leader.
The Phoenix Force Summoning Shang-Chi
In Avengers vol. 8 #40, Shang-Chi was selected by the Phoenix Force as a potential host and he fought in a tournament to win the right. The MCU has taken liberties with characters being adapted in series’ they weren’t featured in the comics, and the Phoenix Force can be shifted from the X-Men to Shang-Chi’s sequel.
A movie that follows a tournament format would be very interesting, especially since the first movie had Shang-Chi engage in the fight club. The comic book storyline of the Phoenix Force’s interest in Shang-Chi is also a way for the MCU to finally introduce it to the series, which will pave the way for the X-Men to follow.
Shang-Chi Joining The Avengers
This is perhaps the most natural setup for the sequel because of the post-credit scene featuring Bruce Banner, Captain Marvel, and Wong. It’s natural to assume that Shang-Chi might join the Avengers, and this would be emulating the comic book version.
Shang-Chi was inducted into the faction in Avengers vol. 5, #1, with Captain America doing the honors. Sam Wilson has taken up the mantle of Captain America in the MCU, and he can be adapted in the Shang-Chi sequel. The follow-up movie could be about Shang-Chi dealing with how to be part of such a group and the MCU version will most likely deliver similar hesitations.
