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Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was an origin story for the character of Shang-Chi, just as Iron Man was Tony Stark’s and Captain America: The First Avenger was Steve Rogers’. And we all know what those characters went on to do in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

So, what’s next for Shang-Chi?

Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Simu Liu poses for pictures at a screening for 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.'
Simu Liu | Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for Disney
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There is the possibility that Shang-Chi makes an appearance in ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

After defeating the Dweller-in-Darkness and obtaining the Ten Rings from Wenwu, Shang-Chi retreats to San Francisco with his best friend, Katy. There, they are contacted by Wong and join him in the Sanctum Sanctorum.

This, of course, left audiences wondering if Shang-Chi, and possibly Katy, will be seen in the highly anticipated MCU film, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

ComicBook.com asked the executive producer of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Jonathan Schwartz, if fans will see Shang-Chi in the next Doctor Strange film. Schwartz said, “Its genesis in Shang-Chi, I think, was pretty organic. It was just kind of about, ‘What do we want Wenwu to be doing? What makes the most sense? What do we think is going to be a satisfying climax to this movie?’ And to the extent that it’s going to be picked up and run with in other movies, and TV shows, or whatever, I think only the future will tell. Only time will tell.”

In true Marvel fashion, Schwartz did not give fans a concrete answer. But he did leave the door open for the possibility of Shang-Chi to pop up in the next Doctor Strange film. Plus, if we dissect one of the post-credits scenes, there is evidence that we will see him in the MCU sooner than expected.

‘Shang-Chi’s’ post-credits scene could set up ‘Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness’

Many recent Marvel projects have seemingly set up Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness because of their references to the multiverse. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was no exception.

In the first post-credits scene, audiences saw that Wong, Shang-Chi, and Katy were joined by Carol Danvers and Bruce Banner in the Sanctum. Of course, this was quite unexpected and very exciting. But their presence also proved Shang-Chi would be important to the MCU in the future.

After getting over the excitement of seeing Captain Marvel and the Hulk for the first time since Avengers: Endgame, fans quickly noted troubling information regarding the Ten Rings.

The Ten Rings might be from another universe

Wong told Shang-Chi and Katy that the Ten Rings emitted a signal that alerted him and the Avengers. From there, Wong, Carol, and Bruce all researched the rings and came up empty. They have no idea what the true origin of the Ten Rings is. This led us to believe that the Ten Rings are from another universe in the multiverse.

Will Shang-Chi join Doctor Strange and Wanda Maximoff in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness? Could an investigation into where exactly the rings came from be part of what tears open the multiverse? Or is this all just an elaborate ploy by Marvel to throw fans off?

Whatever the case may be, Shang-Chi’s future in the MCU is very bright. There is no doubt that fans will see him again.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters now. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness will premiere on March 25, 2022.

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