Shang-Chi
A master of the rings and a guardian of balance, striking with speed and honor.
Xu Shang-Chi (English: SHOO shahng-CHEE; Chinese: 徐尚氣; pinyin: Xú Shàngqì) is a fictional character portrayed by Simu Liu in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. In the franchise, Shang-Chi is the son of Ying Li, the guardian of the mystical village of Ta Lo, and Wenwu, the founder and first leader of the Ten Rings terrorist organization. Trained to be a highly skilled martial artist and assassin by his father alongside his sister Xialing, Shang-Chi left the Ten Rings for a normal life in San Francisco, only to be drawn back when Wenwu seeks him out. After traveling to his mother's home of Ta Lo and confronting his father, Shang-Chi is bequeathed Wenwu's ten rings and together with the Great Protector, the dragon and guardian of Ta Lo, they join forces to face a great demon known as the Dweller-in-Darkness.
- Role
- Duelist
- Affiliation
- Shang-Chi (Solo), formerly The Ten Rings Organization
- Origin
- San Francisco / Ta Lo
- Weaponry
- The Ten Rings, Martial Arts
- Status
- Active
Lore & Background
Shang-Chi is the son of Ying Li, the guardian of the mystical village of Ta Lo, and Wenwu, the founder and first leader of the Ten Rings terrorist organization. Trained to be a highly skilled martial artist and assassin by his father, alongside his sister Xialing, Shang-Chi left the Ten Rings for a normal life in San Francisco, changing his name to 'Shaun'. He was drawn back into the world he left behind when Wenwu sought him out. After traveling to his mother's home of Ta Lo and confronting his father, Shang-Chi was bequeathed Wenwu's ten rings. Together with the Great Protector, the dragon and guardian of Ta Lo, they joined forces to face a great demon known as the Dweller-in-Darkness. Shang-Chi has been noted as being the first Asian superhero to lead a large-budget film.
In Their Own Story
Shang-Chi left the Ten Rings organization for a normal life in San Francisco, with director Destin Daniel Cretton characterizing Shang-Chi as a fish out of water in the U.S. who attempts to hide that with his charisma, and does not know 'who he really is'. Shang-Chi changes his name to 'Shaun' while living in San Francisco. Of Shang-Chi's decision to live a normal life, Liu found that 'what he does is a little bit extreme. And it's also because he was raised under very extreme circumstances...I can't really fault him from taking extreme measures to get out of that situation.' Cretton described Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as 'a journey of stepping into who [Shang-Chi] is and what he's meant to be in this world'. Liu performed many of his own stunts, having to work on his flexibility ahead of filming to do so. Liu also put on 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of muscle for the role.
Reader's Guide
Shang-Chi is a master martial artist trained by his father Wenwu, the founder and first leader of the Ten Rings terrorist organization. He was trained to be a highly skilled martial artist and assassin alongside his sister Xialing. After leaving the Ten Rings for a normal life in San Francisco, he was drawn back into that world when Wenwu sought him out. Following the confrontation with his father, Shang-Chi was bequeathed Wenwu's ten rings. His combat style relies on his mastery of kung fu, with Liu being knowledgeable in taekwondo, gymnastics, and Wing Chun, and learning and training in tai chi, wushu, Muay Thai, silat, Krav Maga, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and street fighting for the film. For an early sequence in the film where Shang-Chi fights off assassins from the Ten Rings, Cretton took heavy inspiration from the works of Jackie Chan.
Did You Know?
- Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition #15 (December 1973).
- The character was conceived in late 1972 by writer Steve Englehart and artist Jim Starlin.
- Shang-Chi's visual appearance was modeled after that of Bruce Lee.
- Simu Liu put on 10 pounds (4.5 kg) of muscle for the role.
- Liu was knowledgeable in taekwondo, gymnastics, and Wing Chun, and learned tai chi, wushu, Muay Thai, silat, Krav Maga, jiu-jitsu, boxing, and street fighting for the film.