As Phase 4 continues, MCU fans eagerly wait to see who will emerge as the new de facto leader of whatever Avengers team forms out of the old and new characters introduced on screen. Still early on in the world after The Blip, the characters are few and far apart. Even with the returning characters and the new ones slotted to join, Shang-Chi is popping out as an early favorite to take over the leadership role.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was the kind of movie needed early in Phase 4 for the MCU to get reinvigorated after the demise of some fan-favorite and critical characters and after long COVID-related delays. Simu Liu portrayed Shang-Chi perfectly in the film, letting fans know there is a strong contender in town for the new team leader.
He Has Unique Training
Wenwu trained Shang-Chi to be an assassin since childhood, much like Nat's childhood in the Red Room. With his lifelong training, Shang-Chi is a force to be reckoned with, even before he inherited the Ten Rings from his father. This lends to the argument that he is an excellent choice to be the next leader because that training will never leave him.
Much like Nat could always step up to fill the leadership void left by Steve and Tony whenever they were fighting or just off the grid, Shang-Chi will always be capable of quickly adapting and doing whatever it takes to get the job done.
He's Not Arrogant
Like anyone with expert knowledge in any topic, Shang-Chi walks through his life confidently but does not cross the line into arrogance. That distinction is pivotal for the leader of the next MCU team. Though Steve had a good heart, making him a great Captain America, he lacked that confidence which often led to a hard time in the leader role. Tony was confident, to the point of arrogance often, especially earlier on in his journey.
Shang-Chi strikes a balance that no other hero has in this area. While he has a quiet confidence that opponents will notice and heed without being an over-the-top showboat. It will lead to him being able to inspire that confidence in those on any team with him.
His Best Traits
In a way, all the best traits of the six founding members of the Avengers live on in him. Using his talents like Natasha, a highly trained assassin, he is confident in his abilities and extreme conviction like Barton. Starting life simply as a son and brother like Thor, those things could also be his Achilles heel while giving him such heart.
He is now in possession of a powerful piece of tech he has to learn to understand, as Tony had to while struggling to control that new power as Banner did. He has the foresight to know that he will be called on to help fight for the greater good and is prepared to do so no matter the sacrifice, as Rogers was always willing to do.
He Has Unencumbered Responsibilities
Unlike the remaining members of the Avengers, Shang-Chi is not already burdened with the responsibilities of a superhero. He can focus on building and leading a new team, giving it his all, and molding it into what it needs to be for the big battles. None of the other returning heroes can do so.
Unlike whoever takes up the mantle of Black Panther, Shang-Chi does not have to worry about a whole country. Dr. Strange is busy being the guardian of the Sanctum Sanctorum and the Time Stone. Captain Marvel is busy protecting an entire galaxy. Wanda is who knows where and is possibly up for a turn at being a villain. Sam took on the Captain America mantle but is busy fixing the past wrongs done in the name of the super-soldier program. Shang-Chi is available.
He Doesn't Quit
As proven in the final fight against both Wenwu and the Dweller in Darkness, Shang-Chi does not just give up. He can be plunged into deep water and dig deep enough to awaken something inside of him to keep fighting. That is a trait in a leader that can not be taught; it has to be innate.
Shang-Chi has that natural drive to do everything he can to prevent bad things from happening to the world. With his drive and determination, he could lead a team into the scariest of battles with the belief that they can and will win.
He's Young & Uninjured
Shang-Chi is the new superhero on the block. Unlike many other established Marvel heroes, Shang-Chi is both in his prime and uninjured - physically and mentally. Banner may no longer be Smart Hulk, as seen at the end of Shang-Chi, but his arm is still in a sling and out of commission. Sam and Bucky both have a lot of history and emotional issues to deal with and overcome. Carol has something going on with the loss of Maria and the apathy shown in WandaVision by Monica.
With the heroes who have experience, not many are still at a hundred percent and able to take on even more responsibility in the group, leaving Shang-Chi primed for the leader role.
He Has Pure Intentions
Simply put, Shang-Chi is pure of heart. He learned the fighting style of his mother's people quickly because he has an open heart and mind that has no ill intentions at all. The Rings themselves proved this by changing to the color of the Great Protector, yellow, once under his control.
The sheer fact also proves that he overcame the tragedy of losing his mother and the neglect and training of his father to live the life he was living before Wenwu came looking for his amulet. Though he lived a simple life, he was happy and able to get an education, have a job and keep long relationships - proving he was inherently good and not evil.
He Has The Heart Of The Dragon
As his mother constantly told him in his youth, Shang-Chi has the heart of their Great Protector, the dragon. This seems to be proven as he sinks in the lake after fighting his father yet regains consciousness under the water, calling out to the Great Protector.
The Heart of the Dragon gives him immense internal power and is likely why the Rings immediately gave him as much, if not more, power than Wenwu. This inner fortitude commands power in everything he does, and that is the Heart of the Dragon. This makes him qualified to help mold newer heroes as they discover their paths and gives him the ability to understand established ones.
He's A Team Player
In his first movie, Shang-Chi established himself as a consummate team player. He instantly worked with Trevor, his sister Xialing and even his mother's people when they arrived in Ta Lo. He was content to stand aside until he realized his sister was in trouble. He revealed his darkest secrets to Katy to help both of them move forward in their training.
In every instance, he integrated himself with the people he was working with perfectly. Flawlessly merging with these different personalities is just one more reason he is perfect for leadership.
He Inspires Loyalty
Shang-Chi is the type of person that inspires loyalty. Katy said they had been friends for half their lives. He is also still friends with Soo, though she gets frustrated at his relaxed approach to life. He even seems to have made a loyal friend in Soo's husband. Xialing is still mad about her abandonment, but his desire to protect her inspired at least some loyalty, and the people of Ta Lo quickly accepted him into their fold.
Before he dies, even Wenwu sees his son in a new way, gifting him all the Rings. Wong appears to sense that he is something special, joining Katy and Shang-Chi in a karaoke-fueled evening at the end of the film. Bruce welcomes him, insinuating that he is an Avenger, and Carol Danvers offers her support as well. This sense of loyalty will serve the next leader in the MCU well and hopefully make for a team with stronger bonds than the original.