At the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings world premiere even on August 16, Marvel president Kevin Feige confirmed that people will see all the movie's characters again in future MCU projects. The film stars Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu as the titular superhero, the first Asian lead in a Marvel movie. Other cast members include Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, Benedict Wong, and Awkwafina. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi will hit cinemas on September 3 for a 45-day exclusive theatrical release, after which it will be available on Disney+.

Shang-Chi has been in development for around 20 years, with Iron Man 3 even setting up the film's villain, The Mandarin, in 2003. Now, Shang-Chi finally debuts in Phase 4 of the MCU, with its story set after the events of Avengers: Endgame. It introduces Liu's Shang-Chi, a reluctant hero who was trained to be a ruthless assassin from childhood. Shang-Chi is forced to confront his roots as he is pulled into the Ten Rings, a criminal organization headed by his father, the real Mandarin (Leung).

Related: Why Disney Is Wrong To Call Shang-Chi's Release An Experiment

While appearing on the red carpet at the official premiere of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Feige confirmed to Extra that the superhero will play a key role in the future of the MCU. What's more, the Marvel chief said that all the characters in the movie will also return in other projects. Without giving away any details, Feige said that fans will understand how Shang-Chi fits into MCU's Phase 4 once they see the movie, and promised that Liu and his castmates would all be back "soon." Read Feige's full comments below.

It will become very clear when people see the movie. We're not shy about indicating where the future can go. I'll leave it at that. You will see in this movie, the future ... Most importantly, it's the characters. All of the characters you meet in this movie, a few you've met before, most you're meeting for the first time. We always know we have success in our hands when we screen a movie and people come out and suddenly beg us, 'When are we gonna see Shang-Chi again? When are we gonna see the numerous other characters in this movie in the future?' And the answer is: soon.

Shang Chi looking to the distance in Shang Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is the second film in Phase 4 of the MCU. It follows the Scarlett Johansson-led Black Widow, which was released in July. While Black Widow gave viewers a brief insight into a future without Natasha Romanoff, Shang-Chi is the first movie to introduce a totally new superhero. As such, it is expected to be pivotal in expanding MCU's post-Endgame storyline.

Surely, Marvel is setting the stage for a grand reveal. After Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the remainder of Phase 4 will see a string of highly anticipated films finally hit screens, including Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Thor: Love and Thunder, and Eternals. The studio has more than proven itself to be the master of anticipation, playing it smart when it comes to its release strategy. Feige's confirmation that Shang-Chi characters will return to the MCU is just a small taste of what is surely something big to come.

Next: Everything We Know About Shang-Chi & The Legend Of The Ten Rings

Source: Extra

Key Release Dates