Following the announcement that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is fast-tracking the development of a story based on Shang-Chi, a Chinese-American character, fans have not let up on the speculations on the movie's potential. The studio has tapped "Wonder Woman 1984" writer Dave Callaham to prepare the screenplay that will introduce the Master of Kung Fu to the Hollywood audience.
One popular theory about the upcoming Marvel film may be about the untold story of The Mandarin. Trickles of the character have been introduced in the MCU before, in films like "Iron Man 3" and the direct-to-video MCU release of "All Hail the King."
But what is The Mandarin's connection to Shang-Chi? Will Marvel make use of these connections?
Shang-Chi was first introduced as the son of supervillain Fu Manchu in the Marvel comic series. But after learning of his father's criminal activities, Shang-Chi defied and even fought his father and his men to become a crime buster without any real superpowers but his Kung Fu skills.
Fu Manchu, however, is the main property of a novel created by author Sax Rohmer that might become a licensing problem for Marvel. The Chinese also find the character an insulting and offensive symbol, according to the South Morning China Post.
Thus, if Marvel wants to do away with any legal troubles for its planned Shang-Chi movies, it can look to The Mandarin for the better story angle, according to Cinema Blend. In the comic book series, The Mandarin has been described as someone with Fu Manchu-like characteristics. He is in charge of a criminal organization that controls even the world's biggest corporations, but he's less offensive compared to Fu Manchu. So, the character might be a better substitute either as Shang-Chi's more non-discriminatory father figure, or as the villain to be targeted in the movie, or both.
According to the Looper, turning the story of Shang-Chi into a live-action movie has always been in the plans for Marvel Studios. Like Ant-Man, it has been in its drawing board for more than a decade, especially since the MCU and its solo movies have been such big success stories.
Casting for Shang-Chi will not start until the script has been finalized. No director has been tapped for the project so far. Potentially, the movie could be part of the MCU's Phase 4, which will play out in the next three years.
