Marvel Studios is finally debuting the Mandarin via Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings, and Kevin Feige explains why did it took them so long to do that. Played by Tony Leung, the character is updated to be the father of Shang-Chi in the Destin Cretton-directed film. Not much is known regarding the rest of his backstory, but expect conflict between him and his son.

Announced at Marvel Studios' San Diego Comic-Con Hall H Panel in 2019, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the two MCU films this year that will debut new lead characters in the franchise. The other one being Chloe Zhao's Eternals. Aside from the arrival of Shang-Chi, many are also looking forward to this version of the Mandarin after the character's fake-out introduction in Shane Black's Iron Man 3. While it remains to be one of the most divisive plot twists in the franchise, Feige stands by it. Now, however, Marvel Studios has a chance to make up for those who were sorely disappointed by the unexpected turn of events via the upcoming blockbuster that is set for a September theatrical release.

Related: Why Shang-Chi May Be Using A Forgotten Captain America Story

Speaking with Rotten Tomatoes, Feige reveals that they have been wanting to bring the Mandarin into the MCU for a long time. However, despite being a Tony Stark villain in the comics, he explains that they couldn't give the character justice if he will be in an Iron Man film because the focus would have to be on the hero alone. Luckily, they're able to find a way to still bring him in through Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

“That subtitle in the Legend of the Ten Rings actually connects it back to the very beginning of the MCU, the Ten Rings being the organization that kidnapped Tony Stark at the very beginning of Iron Man 1. And that organization was inspired by a character called the Mandarin in the comics. And going back to Iron Man 1, we’ve been talking about, ‘When do we bring this character to the screen?, and only wanted to do it when we felt we could do it supreme justice and really showcase the complexity of this character, which frankly we couldn’t do in an Iron Man movie because an Iron Man movie is about Iron Man. An Iron Man movie is about Tony Stark."

Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Tony Leung as Wenwu aka The Mandarin Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

There was massive excitement over the presumed debut of the villain in 2013. But, it turns out, Iron Man 3's version of the Mandarin played by Ben Kingsley was an imposter. He was a decoy manipulated by the narrative's real bad guy — Aldrich Killian. Despite the effective execution, many didn't like the reveal at all. Eventually, Marvel Studios somehow walked back on it just to pacify their base by releasing the One-Shot All Hail The King. The digital short confirmed that despite Killian's scheme and Trevor Slattery's act, there's a real Mandarin who's been hiding in the shadows. It was a promise that eventually, he will reveal himself. Almost a decade later, that tease is finally coming to fruition via Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. 

Based on Feige's comments, it's now curious how much focus WenWu will have in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. It's important to note that at the end of the day, it should be a film about its titular hero. However, the fact that he has an existing relationship with the Mandarin as his father already allows Marvel Studios to also devote more time to the villain. The only downside with this is that the Mandarin will no longer have the chance to square off with Iron Man like he did in the comics.

More: Marvel's Phase 4 Is Paying Off The MCU's Biggest Fakeout Twists

Source: Rotten Tomatoes

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