Shang-Chi 2: Biggest Questions The MCU Sequel Can Answer

Shang-Chi 2 should be able to answer some of fans' burning questions after watching its successful first installment, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. A sequel was announced as part of a new deal with director Destin Daniel Cretton, who will be returning to write and direct Shang-Chi 2. Cretton's return guarantees that the second movie will be able to continue his vision from the first one, allowing for some, if not all, of viewers' lingering questions to be addressed.

Shang-Chi followed its title character (Simu Liu) confronting his family and his past, both of which he thought he left behind when he moved to the United States. He and his best friend Katy (Awkwafina) work with his sister, Xu Xialing (Meng'er Zhang), to stop his father Wenwu (Tony Leung Chiu-wai) before he can free the Dweller-In-Darkness. Shang-Chi was highly successful at the box office and with critics, receiving a 91 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but having to introduce many complex characters along with the film's rich mythology meant that some details had to be somewhat brushed over.

At the risk of including too much exposition and slowing down the story, Shang-Chi sacrificed some plot explanations to keep its fun energy. Now that the backstories have been established, however, Shang-Chi 2 can delve deeper into the details its first movie did not have time for. Here's the biggest questions that Shang-Chi 2 can answer.

What Are The Ten Rings Signaling?

Shang-Chi controls some of the rings in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

In the first post-credits scene, Shang-Chi and Katy were summoned to a meeting between Wong (Benedict Wong), Captain Marvel (Brie Larson), and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) to discuss a beacon that the Ten Rings were sending out to somewhere in space. None of them could determine anything about the Rings' origin or the beacon's intended recipient. This signal had presumably only started once the Rings' ownership transferred to Shang-Chi, leaving viewers wondering not only who or what the signal was intended to reach, but also why it only started now. Shang-Chi 2 will likely deal with the consequences of this beacon as something or someone arrives to claim the Ten Rings for themselves.

How Did Wenwu First Find The Ten Rings?

Shang-Chi's opening narration described a few of the theories about the Ten Rings' origin, including that Wenwu first found them buried in an ancient tomb, or that they arrived on Earth in a meteor. The movie never confirmed or denied any theory, choosing to focus on Wenwu's influence after gaining them instead of showing how he found them in the first place, begging the question: What is the origin of the Ten Rings? Perhaps if the beacon's target does arrive on Earth in Shang-Chi 2, the origin of the Ten Rings will be properly explained. Until then, fan theories will have to suffice to fill in that gap.

How Powerful Are The Dweller-In-Darkness & The Great Protector?

Shang-Chi awakens the Great Protector in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

The Ten Rings weren't the only super-powered force that Shang-Chi did not fully explain; Ta Lo's origins in another dimension and the many mythical beings residing there were never fully fleshed out in the movie, especially when it concerned the Dweller-In-Darkness and the Great Protector. Shang-Chi left many viewers questioning what all these creatures could do, and just how far their powers actually went.

Despite being trapped within a magical prison, the Dweller-In-Darkness was able to extend its powers beyond Ta Lo to trick Wenwu. Yet, the Great Protector's power did not seem to reach beyond those borders in the same way since Shang-Chi's mother Ying Li (Fala Chen) lost whatever power the dragon bestowed on her when she left. This could be because she somehow rejected the power by leaving, but that seems unlikely considering how she continued to honor the Great Protector throughout her life and told her children stories about it and her home. Hopefully, Shang-Chi 2 can address why the Dweller-In-Darkness did not experience the same kind of restrictions as the Great Protector. If Shang-Chi continues to draw any kind of strength from the dragon, like when he and the residents of Ta Lo fought Wenwu's Ten Rings organization, then the MCU sequel will need to better flesh out these magical elements.

What Is The Future Of The Ten Rings Organization Under Xialing?

Xia Ling in the Shang Chi end credits scene

Shang-Chi's second post-credit scene showed Xialing back at her childhood home, which doubled as the headquarters of her father's Ten Rings organization. She had told her brother that she was there to oversee the organization's dismantling, but the scene ended with her presumably having taken over as its new leader instead. Xialing grew up with a lot of resentment toward her father for excluding her from his empire, explaining to Katy that she built her own the first chance she got, so it makes sense that she would jump at the opportunity to take over what had always been barred to her. However, the decision leaves a lot of questions about the direction in which Xialing will be taking the Ten Rings. Will it remain the criminal empire that it was under Wenwu, or will it evolve into something else? If the former, Xialing and Shang-Chi might end up finding themselves on opposite sides in Shang-Chi 2.

When Does Shang-Chi Take Place Within The MCU Timeline?

Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner as holograms in Shang-Chi post-credit scene

The Shang-Chi movie was not very clear about when exactly it occurred on the MCU timeline, and the sequel will likely help clarify this confusion as Shang-Chi further integrates into the larger cinematic universe. Knowing when exactly Shang-Chi takes place might help explain some other questions that the movie left unresolved, such as when and why Bruce Banner had returned to his human form. In Avengers: Endgame, Bruce and Hulk had achieved an understanding that led to the creation of Professor Hulk, which was essentially the combination of Hulk's body with Bruce's intelligence. Yet, in the Shang-Chi post-credit scene, Bruce was back in his human form with his arm in a sling, possibly still injured from using the infinity gauntlet in Endgame. On the other hand, Captain Marvel's hair had grown to her shoulders despite having been cut short in Endgame, implying a significant amount of time had passed between movies. Future MCU films will hopefully clarify what all had occurred with these characters, as well as what exactly went on between Wong and Abomination.

What Has Abomination Been Up To, & Why Is He With Wong?

Abomination had been a villain in The Incredible Hulk who had eventually been taken into Shield custody. Sometime between then and Shang-Chi, he became a tournament fighter at Xialing's Golden Daggers Club in Macau, facing off against Wong. Wong and Abomination appeared to have worked out some sort of arrangement between them to seemingly stage fights in the ring, practicing together in their downtime. How they met and what brought them to that point remains to be seen. This version of Wong also appeared much more laid back, acting comfortable participating in illegal activities, and familiar with popular culture, singing karaoke with Shang-Chi and Katy, than he did in Doctor Strange. This change made some question what could have happened between then and Shang-Chi. What might lead to Wong and Abomination forming such a friendly relationship?

Will Shang-Chi & Katy Remain Just Friends?

Shang-Chi and Katy's friendship had been one of the most heartwarming elements of the Shang-Chi movie. The MCU has not had many male-female friendships like it so far, since most such relationships have eventually included some romantic element. Although some viewers do want Shang-Chi and Katy's relationship to evolve into a romance, as Katy's grandmother inquired about at the beginning of the film, others believe it would detract from what the 2 characters have built together. Regardless of which direction the MCU decides to take their relationship, Shang-Chi 2 will most likely be the chance to explore who Shang-Chi and Katy become—together and apart.

Next: Shang-Chi Ending Explained: 6 Biggest Questions, Answered