Did Shang-Chi Introduce The MCU's Iron Fist Replacement?

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was part of the MCU's Phase 4 and may have introduced a replacement for certain aspects of Iron Fist. Iron Fist currently is not part of the MCU outside the Netflix TV show that, as of the end of Phase 4, has not yet been confirmed canon. Because of this, it is unclear when or even if Iron Fist will be brought into the MCU somehow, making Shang-Chi's similar elements able to serve as replacements should Iron Fist be left out.

One of these central aspects is Ta Lo, the mythical dimension from which Shang-Chi's mother was from in the film. Ta Lo shares very similar aspects to the mythical dimension Iron Fist hails from, K'un-Lun. Should Iron Fist not feature in the future MCU, Ta Lo could viably stand-in for the other dimension. Most notably, the entrance to each dimension is limited by time. Shang-Chi established that the gate only opens once yearly, while Iron Fist's K'un-Lun is once every 15 years. With other similar aspects like the martial artistry inherent in their respective citizens to the superheroes and bestial companions that hail from there, the parallels are striking.

Why Ta Lo Isn't The Origin Of The MCU's Iron Fist

However, despite Ta Lo sharing all these similarities to K'un-Lun and feeling akin to a replacement, the Netflix Iron Fist made it clear that Iron Fist is in fact from the latter. In both the comics and the MCU, Ta Lo has no connection to Iron Fist or K'un-Lun, and both are clearly their own separate dimensions. If the MCU's Daredevil, played by Charlie Cox, has seen recurring roles in Phase 4 is confirmed to be the same version from Netflix, that would also suggest that Finn Jones' Iron Fist would also be canon, for better or worse - and thus K'un-Lun would theoretically exist separately from Ta Lo.

Why Ta Lo And K'un Lun Feel So Similar

Despite being separate entities entirely, Ta Lo and K'un-Lun still have strong ties. These reasons could be from their respective heroes, Shang-Chi and Iron Fist, both wielding powers granted to them from each realm. Shang-Chi's titular ten rings, while having an unknown origin, seem to share some connection to Ta Lo, as his mother could use the rings. Similarly, Danny Rand received the power of the Iron Fist from the K'un-Lun monastery. Both of these powers are used in conjunction with martial arts, helping the two realms and characters feel similar. Also, both realms in the MCU feature dragons as bestial companions, contributing to their similarity.

Both Ta Lo and K'un-Lun's natures as pocket dimensions could also contribute to their overt similarities. Pocket dimensions are other universes that are loosely connected to Earth, with portals on Earth allowing people to travel to these dimensions. This is shown for Ta Lo in Shang-Chi and K'un-Lun in Iron Fist. Some similarities, then, could come from the fact that both portals to each dimension are located in China. This could explain why, despite being separate dimensions, both Ta Lo and K'un-Lun involve Chinese mythology, and dragons like the Great Protector appear in the hidden worlds of both Iron Fist and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Next: Shang-Chi Sets Up A Perfect What If Season 2 Episode