Shang-Chi Theory: Elektra Joins The New Ten Rings

The Marvel Cinematic Universe may have set up Elektra’s debut in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, as she could become a member of the new Ten Rings organization. As the second movie in Phase 4, Shang-Chi introduced a new corner of the MCU to viewers. Simu Liu’s Master of Kung Fu allowed Marvel to feature the mystical side of this shared universe and bring back the Ten Rings organization under the rule of Wenwu (Tony Leung), the real Mandarin. The family dynamics in Shang-Chi were amplified by the hero’s sister Xialing (Weng’er Zhang) also playing a significant role.

While most of Shang-Chi revolved around the MCU’s newest Avenger fighting his father and saving the world, its ending also helped set up where these characters will go in the future. Shang-Chi was recruited by Wong (Benedict Wong) to discuss the origin of the mysterious Ten Rings weapons he inherited from Wenwu. This all happened in the mid-credits scene where he met Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). This may have been Marvel’s way of setting up Shang-Chi to appear in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Shang-Chi‘s post-credits scene went in a different direction and confirmed that the Ten Rings organization would come back under the leadership of Xialing.

Through the story that Shang-Chi tells, the MCU is in a strong position to use it as a building block to introduce many other characters from Marvel Comics. The dragon-looking alien Fin Fang Foom could be tied to the Ten Rings’ beacon and come to Earth in search of the weapons. Meanwhile, the mythology established through Ta-Lo might allow the MCU’s real Iron Fist to be introduced before too long. Audiences previously saw a version of Danny Rand in Netflix’s Marvel shows, but the MCU seems to be planning a soft relaunch of the Defenders characters. It is possible that Shang-Chi helped set the stage for Elektra’s MCU debut as a member of the Ten Rings.

Xialing Is Now In Charge Of The MCU’s Ten Rings

Xialing enters Shang-Chi’s story in a formidable fashion, as she immediately squares off against her brother as part of the marquee match from her underground fighting tournaments. While she and Shang-Chi work together after this to stop their father from taking over the world, Xialing makes a surprising turn at the end. Shang-Chi believes that she will shut down the Ten Rings organization once and for all, but Shang-Chi‘s post-credits reveal that Xialing is now leading a new version of the Ten Rings. She sits on her throne with Razorfist and Jon Jon by her side, and Xialing’s version of the Ten Rings already is noticeably different in this quick tease.

On top of giving the Ten Rings base a cosmetic makeover complete with graffiti art and more, Xialing’s biggest change to the Ten Rings is allowing women to be trained as fighters. This stems from Xialing’s resentment towards her father for not allowing her to train with Shang-Chi and the other boys as a child. Xialing used this as motivation to make herself better than the male fighters, but she doesn’t want that to last anymore. Shang-Chi’s post-credits scene shows several women training alongside the men. It also confirms that the Ten Rings will return in the MCU’s future. When they do, some of the new female recruits could get the spotlight.

Theory: Elektra Joins Xialing’s Ten Rings

The women shown training in Shang-Chi are likely the first of many who Xialing will recruit to her version of the Ten Rings. As the organization continues to expand, Marvel Studios could use this as an opportunity to bring Elektra to the MCU. She is one of the deadliest assassins and martial artists in the Marvel universe, with her usual weapon of choice being her twin sai. Now that a group of international assassins is gathering under Xialing’s rule, Elektra Natchios could soon find herself among their ranks.

Elektra is best associated with The Hand in the comics, but connecting her to the new Ten Rings would also work. Although there isn’t much explicit setup for Elektra in the MCU so far, retrofitting her into the universe could be easy. Xialing’s experience running the Golden Daggers Club likely led her to meet several excellent fighters and forge relationships with them. She may have met Elektra in the past during a time when she was no longer training with The Hand or just looking to use her skills in other ways to earn a living. Once Xialing takes control of the Ten Rings organization, contacting Elektra to have her join the team could be one of her first moves.

Depending on how Marvel Studios wants to handle Elektra’s MCU introduction, they could use her time with the Ten Rings differently. A more comics-accurate origin for her would mean having Elektra train with The Hand before joining the Ten Rings. This could also allow the MCU’s Elektra to enter Shang-Chi 2 or another future property as an experienced assassin. There’s also the chance that Marvel will meld Elektra’s comic origin with the current plans for the MCU. This could lead Xialing to be the one to train Elektra and turn her into the deadly assassin comic fans know her to be. In this scenario, Elektra’s origin can be shown. However, that would likely eliminate her chance to be connected to Daredevil if his involvement in Spider-Man: No Way Home is true.

What Role Elektra Can Play In The MCU’s Future

Elektra entering the MCU through the Ten Rings and possibly debuting in Shang-Chi 2 could set her up to play an important role in the future. She has a deep history in the comics, but her involvement in Secret Invasion won’t happen based on how the MCU is progressing. Instead, Elektra’s MCU story could begin with the Ten Rings and see her work alongside the organization for the foreseeable future. She’d be an excellent right-hand to Xialing and give the group another highly skilled assassin to train other group members. Elektra’s time with the Ten Rings could ultimately be cut short, though, if Marvel fast tracks a reunion between her and Daredevil.

Marvel’s intentions to use more characters and actors from Netflix’s Marvel shows is becoming a terrible secret. Almost all fans expect Daredevil’s Charlie Cox to play Matt Murdock again in Spider-Man: No Way Home and then return in other projects. There are also rumors that Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin will appear in Hawkeye. As Marvel builds up the Daredevil corner of the universe, bringing Elektra into the mix makes sense. That could mean that Elektra debuts in Shang-Chi 2 and eventually finds a place in the MCU’s Daredevil show or movie.

Once Elektra is established in the MCU, there are plenty of other ways that Marvel Studios can use her moving forward. She would most likely play a role in bringing The Hand to the MCU and exploring the hierarchy and history of the organization. Elektra could also eventually find herself as a member of the Thunderbolts as she did in the comics. Red Hulk led this iteration of the team and recruited Elektra, Punisher, Ghost Rider, and Venom to the team. Depending on how the MCU progresses, that lineup might not be as far away from happening as it currently seems.