Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
The early stages of the MCU ’s Phase 4 have already have bothShang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsand the Multiverse , although the former proves that a Multiverse story is n’t entirely necessary . Shang - Chiwas the first entryway into Phase 4 that received an sole theatrical departure . While its overall box agency was impress by the pandemic , it was still able-bodied to earn the appreciation of fan and critic alike . infix the titulary Master of Kung Fu into the MCU - not one of Marvel ’s highest - profile Hero by any stretching of the imagination -Shang - Chiwas a throwback to Phase 1of the MCU while still incite the macrocosm ’s overall narrative forward .
Throughout Phase 3 , reference work to the Multiverse were made off - handedly , establish up to its inclusion in Phase 4 , notably in the upcomingSpider - Man : No Way Home , which will sport legion characters from Spider - Man ’s cinematic past times , allowing the MCU ’s Multiverse to relate back to late iterations of the fictional character . Phase 4 of the MCU is still in its early stages , but so far , it seems to be at the same time exploring multiple discrete avenues for its next Thanos - level threat after the Mad Titan ’s defeat inAvengers : Endgame . While it already seems that theMCU Phase 4 will sport more powerful charactersthan ever before , Shang - Chihas already proved that the Multiverse narration is n’t necessary ( yet ) .
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As with everything in the MCU , the reason why lead far beyond any one pic . While the overarching story and consistent narrative convergence of releases are precisely what makes the MCU so great , they do n’t just make it easy to isolate one special moment which specify what should total next . However , Shang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsactually apprehend the formula so well that it highlights exactly why the Multiverse ’s salient role in the MCU might just be a trivial untimely .
Shang-Chi Introduces Two Major MCU Villains (That Have Nothing To Do With The Multiverse)
Shang - Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsintroduced not one but two possible major scoundrel , and neither of them has anything to do with the Multiverse . UsingWenwu asShang - Chi ’s main villainwas a choice afforded celebrated extolment , but the post - credits scene reveal that Shang - Chi ’s sister , Xialing , had taken control of the Ten Rings organization potentially setting her up to adopt the mantle of the Mandarin . While the Mandarin is a big - scale Earth - bound villain , Shang - Chialso introduced the Dweller - in - Darkness , one of the Fear Lords , a chemical group of demons who machinate to rule the Earth through fright . The Fear Lords are often depict as antagonists to Doctor Strange , and it has been suggested that Nightmare , another of the Fear Lords , might appear inDoctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness .
The early Phase 4 presentation of these villains sets up their potential return as antagonists further down the line . The Ten Rings , one of manhood ’s most feared terrorist organizations , were finally yield the proper MCU treatment inShang - Chi , and to underutilize them again would be to repeatIron Man ’s Ten Rings mistake . There ’s also the affair of the Dweller - in - duskiness . While the demon was purportedly vote out by the Great Protector , their set of power intend it ’s whole potential that they could return with the backing of the rest of the Fear Lords to give a considerable challenge to the Avengers . After put in two villains with serious antagonist potential so early on in Phase 4 , branching off on a Multiverse - have-to doe with tangent could diminish the potential build - up for the next universal - level threat .
Shang-Chi Shows Regular Origin Stories Can Still Work In Phase 4
phase angle 4 ’s first prescribed movie release wasBlack Widow , the geographic expedition of the Phase 1 reference ’s backstory after herEndgamesacrifice . While it was an excellent manner to see off the dear character , Shang - Chiwas introduced as the MCU ’s future , both symbolically and , to a sure extent , literally . Not only does the Master of Kung Fu ’s foundation show that the Avengers ' social status will continue to turn , but it shows that Marvel is still able of delivering heartfelt and entertaining origin stories post - Endgame .
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While some fans would likely rather see the MCU explore its current character , the simple-minded fact is that there are still a wealth of pop comic character that are yet to be introduced . phase angle 4 is going a long mode towards specify this , though , with a slew of new characters harbinger to be progress to their appearances in the dealership - and again , this indicates that there ’s a quite a little of narrative still to tell before delving into the Multiverse . Shang - Chidid an excellent job of introducing Modern characters - and reinventing exist ones , likechanging Wong forwards ofDoctor Strange 2,proving that the MCU has more tricks up its sleeve for the futurity than just the Multiverse .
There Are Still So Many New Characters To Explore From Earth-616
Outside of origin stories - of which Phase 4 will have many - there are other compelling type to explore from Earth-616 before the MCU ’s narrative falls into a Multiversal wormhole . This is show throughout the MCU date back to Phase 1 , with references to various heroes , villains , planets , and organizations being made to affirm the universe of numerous comic characters in the MCU . Phase 4 has already highlighted this , with several characters appear , like Taskmaster and Red Guardian inBlack Widow , Abomination ’s redesign forShang - Chi , and Dane Whitman ’s role inEternals , proving that the MCU ’s primary realism of Earth-616 is far from end up with its own stories .
The references to these extra characters and options are what give the MCU its remarkable mother wit of depth , and by shift the focusing off from this and onto the immeasurable size of the Multiverse , the MCU ’s existing characters are cheapen . With modest nod to various characters date back to the earliest entries into the cinematic creation , it seems only right to carry on to pay off these pocket-sized hope , something whichShang - Chiproved is well deserving doing . If theMandarin’sIron Mansnubcan be fixed by a Phase 4 film , it ’s potential that numerous other graphic symbol can be redeemed , too ; however , this only works if given the appropriate attention - not by focusing on a Multiverse tale .
The Multiverse Confuses The MCU’s Timeline
Phase 4 has already toy with the MCU ’s timeline . Black Widow ’s case actually take place beforeAvengers : Infinity WarandLokitook place afterEndgame , although the protagonist ’s continuity succeed on from Phase 1’sThe Avengers , and the introduction of the Multiverse only add together to this mix-up . trailer forSpider - Man : No Way Homeindicate that previous cinematic franchise will be cross over into the MCU , which will belike require some explanation of exactly where in their respective timeline they ’ll be meeting . The nature of Doctor Strange ’s magic ( peculiarly where the Multiverse is involved ) intend thatNo Way Home ’s place in the MCU timelinebecomes a little harder to explain .
Related : When Is Shang - Chi Set In The MCU Timeline ?
The conception of the Multiverse alone can be difficult to understand , particularly when presented in cinematic cast - it demand an awful lot of expounding , which can have mayhem with films ' tempo . AsEndgame(and the post - Endgamenarrative ) has shew , hopping in and out of the timeline causes narrative messes that simply can not stay unexplained . This could be a openhanded problem for the MCU move forwards with a Multiversal tale . substitute realities make the MCU ’s prescribed canon harder to follow , which in act makes it surd for fans to understand where in the timeline each new exit fit . Shang - Chi ’s box office successproved that Marvel does n’t yet necessitate to rely on the Multiverse to tell engaging stories , and pursue the Multiverse might do more damage than good .
A Multiverse Narrative Is Great For Fans But Might Alienate Casual Viewers
by nature , the medical prognosis of explore the Multiverse , and the massive crossing potential of doing so , is exciting to a cracking many Marvel devotee . Still , it ’s probable not the best road for the MCU to take with respect to the dealership ’s future . While reintroducing premature incarnations of pop characters or alternative versions of existing ones is excellent fan service , it ’s not necessarily a sassy choice in the farsighted run . jumble the timeline a little is one thing , but to quote theMultiverse - breaking Doctor Strange:“the Multiverse is a construct about which we have intercourse frighteningly little,“and this is doubly true for more chance viewers .
Those well - verse in the MCU or in the comic book root textile are practically chomping at the snatch for a closer look at the Multiverse , but to the uninitiated , it ’s a daunting prospect . It ’s important for die - gruelling fans to remember the importance of effortless TV audience , too ; without its massive box office success , the MCU would n’t be at all possible . In increase , too much devotee military service can easily arrive across as a form of gatekeeping . Until now , the MCU has always balanced its stories well . Shang - Chiwas an splendid origin storybut also featured legion nods to other Marvel heroes and villains , but the geographic expedition of the Multiverse might agitate this too far for less invested fans to follow .
on the dot how much or how little Phase 4 will delve into the Multiverse afterSpider - Man : No Way HomeandDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madnessremains to be seen , but its cellular inclusion presents more than a few potential trouble . Either the concept will want to be severely over - simplified in society to make sense , or perhaps it will be briefly explored and then draw a blank to make room for other story . There ’s also the possibility that the MCU will tackle the Multiverse alongside legion scoundrel , all while introducing a roster ofnew heroes in Phase 4 . However , this seems like it might be over - challenging , even for Marvel .
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The narrative risk inherent in the exploration of the Multiverse is likely one that Marvel is well aware of . After all , they ’ve been telling Multiverse stories in the cartoon strip for decades now , but making it sour for all of the MCU ’s massive consultation will present a significant challenge . Regardless of the agitation that the Multiverse inspires , the simple fact is that the MCU has raft still to do before it starts a close examination of the Multiverse , and this has already been examine byShang - Chi . incisively how the events ofSpider - Man : No Way Homewill shape the coming Multiversal tale is yet to be reassert , butShang - Chiand the Legend of the Ten Ringsalready proved that the Multiverse is n’t substantive to the MCU , at least , not yet .
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