Shang-Chi's Past Makes Him Unlike Most MCU Heroes

Shang-Chi’s past makes him stand out from the rest of the MCU heroes, and here is why. Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings introduces a new hero to the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Shaun (Simu Liu), a parking valet. He has to face his family and confront his true identity as Xu Shang-Chi, the son of Wenwu (Tony Leung), the leader of the Ten Rings. However, Shang-Chi is no ordinary hero, with his past making him unlike most heroes from the MCU.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings has made history amidst the pandemic, not only as the first MCU film to be released exclusively in theaters, but also as the first film to reach $200 million domestically. The superhero film has also been well-received by critics, praising Marvel’s expansion of its spectrum of representation through its predominantly Asian-led cast, despite some pointing out the quite unpolished CGI of Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings, especially in the movie's third act. The story is also anchored securely in Chinese culture and mythology, while Shang-Chi’s origin story is viewed as exciting and soulful, primarily because of his childhood experiences.

Similar to most MCU heroes, Shang-Chi’s childhood was inevitably traumatic, but his journey towards being a hero is quite unique. While his family exudes contentment and happiness, this picture was shattered when Wenwu’s past caught up with him and kills his wife Ying Li (Fala Chen). Pressured by an absentee, vengeful father, Shang-Chi trained to be an assassin: at the age of 14, he was sent to avenge his mother’s death — a mission he successfully executed. This placed Shang-Chi, despite being a relatable character, among the rare breed of assassin-turned-hero, unlike most of his colleagues in the MCU.

Growing up in unfavorable conditions and witnessing death are among the common life-altering experiences of MCU characters. Heroes like Peter Parker (Tom Holland), Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen), Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), and T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) had tragically seen their parents and guardians die. Unfortunately, these instilled in them the desperate need to protect people and survive on their own, tragically changing the trajectory of their lives while humanizing them in the process. However, not all of them had intentionally killed someone in the past, save for Shang-Chi and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). Both Shang-Chi and Natasha were raised to be deadly, stripped off of their agency and only seen as killers with a mission.

Despite Shang-Chi’s past, it is evident that he remains a goodhearted man. After all, he only went through with the mission out of reverence for his parents, as he tried to make up for his mother’s physical loss and his father’s emotional distance. He was merely a child longing for guidance and affection, making him vulnerable and submissive. Fortunately, as Shang-Chi grew up and forged a life of his own in Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings, he gradually found his identity, leaving his tragic past behind.

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