As production continues for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the first behind-the-scenes photos and video from the set of Marvel Studios’ first Asian-led superhero film have surfaced online through Australia’s local news show (via CBR), featuring an unidentified masked figure hanging from a helicopter. Some fans are speculating that this might be our first-look at Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi while others say, this might be Tony Leung’s The Mandarin. Check out the video below!
BREAKING: The first photos from the set of #ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings have been revealed!
(via @7NewsAustralia) pic.twitter.com/BxjUkVKtU4
— MCU Direct (@MCU_Direct) March 12, 2020
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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will be led by Canadian actor Simu Liu (Blood and Water, Taken), who is set to take on the titular hero in Marvel Studios’ first Asian superhero-led movie. Joining Liu are Golden Globe-winning actress Awkwafina (The Farewell) and renowned Hong Kong actor Tony Leung, who is portraying the role of The Mandarin. It was also reported that Crazy Rich Asians star Michelle Yeoh was in talks for a new MCU character with Creed II star and professional heavyweight boxer Florian Munteanu also rumored to have joined the film as the secondary villain.
Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984, Zombieland 2, Spider-Man Into the Spider-Verse 2) wrote the script and Destin Daniel Cretton (Short Term 12) is attached to direct the project. Marvel’s goal with the film is to introduce a hero who blends Asian and Asian American themes, crafted by Asian and Asian American filmmakers.
Filming is expected to begin this early this year in Australia for a scheduled February 12, 2021 release.
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Shang-Chi, also known as The Master of Kung Fu, was first introduced in the pages of Special Marvel Edition #15 back in 1973 after they’d failed to obtain the rights to the then-popular TV series Kung Fu, which starred David Carradine. A master of fighting, Shang-Chi eventually gains the ability to create an infinite amount of replicas of himself. After Special Marvel Edition changed its name to The Hands of Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu, the character went on to appear in issues of Marvel Team-Up and Marvel Two-in-One. He’s also been a member of The Avengers and Heroes for Hire, the latter alongside fellow kung fu masters Daughters of the Dragon.
