Often, we don’t know what to expect from new Marvel movies until the film is out. You can get a narrative summary, confirm the main cast and hear the stars speak in vague terms about what the movie would contribute to the MCU, but it’s not always like that. All of that is completely acceptable as long as it’s all part of the fun!
As a result, Marvel fans can be a paradox at times: eagerly seeking out any and every information but not intending to spoil anything for themselves in the process. For its part, the production firm tries to keep everything under wraps to build up the excitement for the movie.
That’s why it’s so striking that Marvel has already revealed what appears to be a significant plot twist in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, even though the movie is only two weeks away from release. Is there a particular explanation for this?
Sir Ben Kingsley’s arrival on the red carpet at Shang-Los Chi’s Angeles premiere on Monday (August 16) sparked wild speculation among Marvel fans. Maybe he was in the movie, making his MCU comeback?
Of course, just because a star attends a global premiere doesn’t mean they’re in the movie; they could have been in town for the occasion. In the end, Kingsley confirmed that indeed, he is in Shang-Chi, rather than wasting two weeks of suspense.
“Because of Kevin Feige and Robert Downey Jr, Drew Pearce, and Shane Black’s warm welcome on Iron Man 3, I’m still at Marvel. And I’m so happy to be here today! “He went on to explain.
Seeing Trevor Slattery in Shang-Chi isn’t completely out of the left-field, as it fits into the MCU’s established narrative and continuity. Trevor was last seen in Marvel One-Shot, All Hail the King when he was broken out of prison by a member of the 10 Rings to meet the real Mandarin, which was controversial.
The short film was released in 2014, and since then, we haven’t heard anything about Trevor. If Kingsley’s role in Shang-Chi is anything but a cameo, we’ll never know.
Although Trevor’s appearance was not described in detail, that isn’t the most important thing. Despite certain unverified leaks, the fact that he’s in the movie is a spoiler in and of itself.
Even The Suicide Squad, despite its near-universal praise, is failing at the box office. After a successful opening weekend of $80 million in the United States, Black Widow, like other blockbusters, saw a steep decline and is now in the lower echelons of MCU films with approximately $370 million worldwide.
Early estimates for Shang-opening Chi’s in the United States range from $35 million to $55 million. While the early reception has been encouraging, it’s not a sure thing like Black Widow.
Fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may not feel compelled to watch it, at least not right away in the theatre. But, as the first MCU film to feature an Asian superhero and with a stellar ensemble featuring Simu Liu, Michelle Yeoh, Awkwafina, and many more – it should excite everyone.
As a result of these changes, the decision to visit a movie theatre has changed dramatically in recent years. Shang-Chi is the second Marvel movie in two months, so it may not be a big draw for everyone.
What can be done to counteract this possible apathy? Perhaps it’s to introduce a surprise cast member with ties to the MCU’s past, demonstrating that while Shang-Chi is a standalone film, it’s still an integral component of the MCU’s storyline.
Although Trevor Slattery may be one of the most polarising characters in the series, this works to the show’s advantage. Fans of that particular twist will want to see more of the character, while others who disliked it will be curious to find out why he’s back on the scene in the first place.
This might be a masterstroke for Shang-Chi as we approach its release, whether or not it was an intentional move by Marvel or an oversight on Kingsley’s part.
As a result, it does not detract from Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings’ message but rather adds a little spice to the film’s opening weekend. Remember that King Lear by Trevor was the “toast of Croydon”. It will be released in cinemas on September 3.
