Sources Report that Shang-Chi 2 has been Officially Green-Lit
The most recent rumor (that we’re filing under definitely-probably-true because duh) is that Marvel Studios has already green-lit the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, for a sequel. And that makes sense, Shang-Chi smashed Labor Day weekend box office records in the United States, despite data showing a decrease in consumer confidence about going to the movies.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Overall movie ticket sales have been down during the pandemic, and Marvel’s superhero films typically open to more than $100 million. Therefore, the rising number of COVID-19 cases had some in Hollywood concerned about how the pandemic might impact Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ earnings at the box office on its opening weekend, but it seems those fears were unfounded.
Fans at El Capitan Theatre opening event for Shang-Chi. Photo: Marvel
After a single day in theaters, the film had already proven itself as a huge financial success for the studio… and after being in theaters for the four-day Labor Day weekend, Shang-Chi‘s box office numbers are comparable to the other 25 movies in the MCU (despite a global pandemic).
Over the holiday weekend, Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings collected a mighty $90 million (it made $75.5 million over the traditional three-day weekend) at the box office.
Simu Liu attends the “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” World Premiere at El Capitan Theatre on August 16, 2021 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
That means that not only did Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings establish a new record for Labor Day weekend box office sales, it also had the second-best opening weekend of the pandemic, behind Black Widow, which grossed $80 million in its first three days.
Shang-Chi 2
The success of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has secured the hero’s place in the next (several) MCU phase(s), and maybe even on a Disney+ streaming show in the future.
The website GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT exclusively learned from one of its “trusted and proven inside sources” that Marvel has officially given the green-light to Shang-Chi 2. However, according to the article, “[the source was] unable to learn when the studio will publicly make an announcement for Shang-Chi 2, though [they] expect it will happen soon.”
Photo: Marvel Studios
Some are speculating that the decision to announce a sequel so soon after Shang-Chi opened in theaters is a sign of discord between Marvel’s talent pool and the studio, but let’s try to remember more than two months ago when Nat and Mickey broke-up.
Snark break: apparently, in our universe, one of those Absolute Points in time is Scarlett Johansson filing her lawsuit against Disney, since many people believe that every decision from the Mouse flows from that legal battle, not the global pandemic. However, that snark also brings me to an important point… the first part of the Shang-Chi saga has been in the works for a long time, so it makes sense that Marvel head boss Kevin Feige has already been thinking about part two.
Photo: Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney
Besides, Marvel is a company of rules, and one of those rules has to do with release format. I don’t think any of our Marvel Blog True Believers need a reminder that each headlining MCU hero has received a trilogy of movies from Marvel Studios for their character development, except Thor… he’s special and gets four (kinda-sorta-not really, more on this later).
Why would Shang-Chi be any different than Spider-Man? Iron Man? I love my conspiracies, but this isn’t one. Shang-Chi 2 received the green-light already because Marvel knew it was sitting on something good, and now the rest of the world knows too. YAY!
Director Destin Daniel Cretton, fight instructor Alan Tang, crew camera operator, and Simu Liu on the set of Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo: Jasin Boland/Marvel Studios
Plus, it was pretty darn obvious from the mid-credits and post-credits scenes that the characters introduced in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will play a major role in the MCU for years to come (and avoiding spoilers in this article, so just trust me).
Marvel Phase 5!
Although Marvel Blog is “technically” classifying this as a rumor, it seems basically guaranteed that a sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is already in the works at Marvel and Disney. But since this is still the first we have heard of this announcement, we can’t 100% confirm this is true and details on Shang-Chi 2 are still scarce.
Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina) in Marvel Studios’ SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS. Photo: Jasin Boland/Marvel Studios
Most likely, Shang-Chi 2 will be part of Marvel’s Phase 5. And GFR is guessing that production could begin as early as 2023, although the website reports that 2024 is more likely and 2025 is entirely possible.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters now! Have you had a chance to see it yet? Will you be returning to the theater for the sequel (whenever it arrives)?
Source: GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT
