The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Phase 4 proves that Doctor Strange could've easily defeated Thanos, and it's all due to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. In the new MCU film, Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) lays low in San Fransisco, hiding from his old life as an assassin working for his father, Wenwu (Tony Leung). However, early in the film, he's forced to fight off an attack by members of the Ten Rings, a terrorist organization run by his dear old dad. Wenwu also controls magical artifacts called the Ten Rings, which have immeasurable power. Thinking his sister, Xialing (Meng'er Zhang), is in trouble too, Shang-Chi heads to Macau to find her and discovers she's been running a famous fight club. The pair eventually learn their father has gathered them together and wants their help rescuing their mother, Ying Li (Fala Chen), who they thought was long dead. According to Wenwu, a village in the magical dimension of Ta Lo is keeping her prisoner, but Shang-Chi rightfully has doubts.

Besides introducing several new characters to the MCU, Shang-Chi brings back other fan-favorites. Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) make impactful cameos in a Shang-Chi post-credit scene. In the scene, the pair try to identify the origins of the mysterious Ten Rings. Trevor Slattery (Ben Kingsley) also makes an appearance in the film. The character previously posed as the leader of the Ten Rings in Iron Man 3, and Wenwu took him captive as a response. Slattery and his mystical pet named Morris help Shang-Chi find Ta Lo.

Related: Doctor Strange’s Spider-Man: No Way Home Mistake Was Set-Up In Infinity War

In Shang-Chi, the MCU subtly shows Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) could've taken down Thanos (Josh Brolin). During the Phase 4 film, Wong (Benedict Wong) returns to the MCU and squares off against Abomination (Tim Roth) in Macau's fight club. During the fight, Wong efficiently handles Abomination by pulling some last-second trickery. As Abomination goes to punch Wong, the Master of the Mystic Arts creates a portal, which sends Abominations fist flying at his own face. As a result, Abomination knocks himself out, seemingly showing how Doctor Strange could've used similar tactics against Thanos.

Because of Shang-Chi, it seems Doctor Strange should've easily defeated Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Wong has a simple strategy against Abomination in Shang-Chi: Use the villain's own strength against him. With Thanos being one of the most powerful characters in the MCU and having his strength increased with Infinity Stones, Doctor Strange should've similarly followed suit. Instead, Doctor Strange tries to overpower Thanos with his own magical abilities during their Infinity War fight and multiplies himself, which quickly fails. Had he used Thanos' own power against him, Doctor Strange could've defeated the Mad Titan or at least stood a greater chance of winning.

Though Shang-Chi makes it appear that Doctor Strange should've won, there are several reasons why that wasn't the outcome. In Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Wong and Abomination are working together, apparently creating a scheme to put on a show for the fight club's audiences and collecting their winnings at the end. With that in mind, it's doubtful that Wong's strategy against Abomination would've worked on Thanos. Additionally, Strange saw more than 14 million possible outcomes for fighting Thanos, and the Avengers won only one of them. If he could've used Thanos' strength against him, Strange would've seen how. Yes, it may have given him a victory in a battle, but—with only one way to ultimately defeat the Mad Titan—it still wouldn't win the Infinity War.

More: Doctor Strange Just Easily Defeated His Next MCU Villain

Key Release Dates