Marvel looks to make cinematic history with their newest feature, “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings,” as their first Asian-led superhero film with a predominantly Asian cast, coming to theaters on Sept. 3.
Destin Daniel Cretton’s film stars Simu Liu as the titular superhero, alongside Awkwafina, Benedict Wong, Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
In the last couple of weeks, the star of “Shang-Chi,” Liu, has vocally defended his film against insensitive comments made by Disney’s CEO.
The synopsis of the film describes Liu’s character Shang-Chi as a “martial arts master” who must confront “the past he thought he left behind when he’s drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.”
“Shang-Chi” has so far had positive fan reactions, with most fans praising the action and kung-fu sequences as well as the performances of Liu. However, something that has fans up in arms is a comment that Disney’s CEO Bob Chapek has made about the film.
During Disney’s Q3 earnings meeting on Aug. 12, Chapek commented about its theatrical release model with their Disney+ Premier model, noting that Disney values the flexibility of its movie releases.
As with other movies released with this model like “Cruella” and “Jungle Cruise,” Disney plans to release the film after a couple of weeks in theaters. However, one comment that Chapek said has fans up in rage.
Chapek called “Shang-Chi” an “experiment” in how they are going to release films. After 45 days in theaters, Marvel will release “Shang-Chi” on Disney+ as a “staggered release.” In the eyes of Disney, “Shang-Chi” is another possible way of how Marvel will release movies because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chapek’s comments about “Shang-Chi” caused a stir in the fanbase, with Liu stepping out and defending his film.
“We are not an experiment,” Liu said on his Instagram and Twitter on Aug. 14. “We are the underdog; the underestimated. We are the ceiling-breakers. We are the celebration of culture and joy that will persevere after an embattled year.”
His posts have stirred the Marvel fans and excited the eventual release of the film. Marvel has since responded to his comments, with Kevin Feige, the president of Marvel Studios, commenting on the interaction between the star of the film and Disney’s CEO.
“[Liu] is not a shy man,” Feige said at the movie’s premiere in Hollywood on Aug. 16. “I think in that particular tweet you can see — and I think everyone does — a misunderstanding. It was not the intention.
“The proof is in the movie, and we swing for the fences as we always do. With the amount of creative energy we put in and the budget, there’s no expense spared to bring this origin story to the screen.”
After a year of AAPI-related hate crimes, a movie like “Shang-Chi” provides an epic and powerful story that brings a spark of hope for the community. As the future of the MCU arrives in theatres on Sept. 3, Chapek’s comments about “Shang-Chi” being a “data point” have tried to diminish the potential success of the film.
The fans love the movie, and the stars are ready to make Shang-Chi leave his mark on the cinematic world. The “data point” that Chapek described looked more to be a massive success on Disney’s economy and the future of Asian superheroes in theaters in the Marvel multiverse.
Winthrop DSU is hosting a showing of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” at Manchester Cinemas on Sept. 3 at 8 p.m. Tickets, which can be purchased online through the Winthrop University Marketplace Mall, are $5 for students, $7 for non-students or free for All-Access Pass holders.
