Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was a film that was made with Asian Americans as in mind. It seems that everyone involved in the creation of Marvel's new superhero film was committed to authentic representation. Director Destin Daniel Cretton said to io9 that while we didn't get everything right, it does not mean that everyone was perfect. However, I think people will notice that we have deep respect for each other. We are trying very hard to make it work. They should see the effort we put into it.
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Cretton looked into the eyes of a majority Asian American audience in Los Angeles late last month during a Q&A. He said that he made Marvels Shang Chi for this audience.
When we entered any scene, there was constant dialogue. Do these characters need to speak English or Chinese Mandarin? What is the food on the table? Is that authentic for the Wenwus family? Is that authentic for Katie's family? It was great because we shared our experiences: this is what it was like for the Simus family growing up. Tony Leung would always be sharing his Hong Kong experience, while Menger is from China. Everyone had their own experience and contributed to the authenticity of the movie.
The film begins with Tony Leung's backstory about Xu Wenwu, which is narrated in Mandarin Chinese entirely by Jiang Li (played here by Fala Chen). It's quite remarkable to see a Marvel movie begin in another language and continue it for a long time. Cretton spoke to a wider audience of journalists and explained how language selection was based on the logic of the characters. Menger Zhang, who plays Xialing's sister Shang-Chis, can also be credited with authenticating the Chinese accents. Zhang said to io9 that Chinese is my first language, and English my second. To help with pronunciation, I became everyone's Mandarin coach.
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Shang-Chi also draws heavily from Asian cinema and art. The scenes in the forest resemble the bamboo forests of Ang Lees Crouching Dragon, Hidden Dragon. Meanwhile, the fights on bamboo scaffolding against a high rise could have been straight taken from a Hong Kong martial-arts film. Cretton confirmed to io9 that Shang-Chi was influenced by many Asian sources. The film's influences were derived from Chinese cinema, classic martial arts, kung fu cinema and traditional martial arts. You can also find anime influences. Video games were also an influence. Our movie was influenced by a variety of Asian cinematic and Asian art influences.
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Shang-Chi also challenged anti-Asian stereotypes with a lot of support from the people involved. First, Fu Manchuthe racist cartoon that Shang-Chi used to call his father in the original Marvel comics is no longer. Xu Wenwu, one of the most sympathetic and complex villains in Marvel Cinematic Universe, takes his place. His grief at losing his love is what drives his misdeeds. Tony Leung portrays Wenwu as someone who loves his children but doesn't know how. Cretton said that Wenwu may not be the most ideal father. This can be seen in Wenwus's pained expressions of grief when Shang-Chi, young Shang-Chi, is struck during training. It also shows up when his adult children leave him at his complex and when he finally sacrifices himself for Shang-Chi.
This film challenges the notion that Asians are always foreigners. Wenwu refers to Katy (Awkwafina), as the American girl. This means that Asians canofcoursebe Americans, too. Asian Americans are shown to have a diverse command of Asian languages, further dispelling this negative stereotype. Jon Jon (Ronnychieng) responds to Katy's claim that she can't speak Chinese fluently. He speaks ABC (American Born Chinese). He can codewitch between Chinese or English, a skill that is common among bilingual Chinese Americans. Shang Chi teaches Katy Shang Chi how to pronounce Shang Chi. She repeats the pronunciation several times until Katy understands it. This serves as a meta moment in which audiences can learn how to correctly pronounce the name of the film's titular hero.
Sir Ben Kingsleys appearance as Trevor Slattery was a welcome addition to the predominantly East-Asian Shang-Chi cast. It also challenges the stereotype of brown actors being terrorists. He played The Mandarin in Iron Man 3. As the film progresses, it is revealed that he is actually a British actor named Trevor Slattery who plays this terrifying character. Slattery plays a comedy character in Shang Chi, but Kingsley said that he became very fond of Trevor. He is not perfect. He has his past and his problems. I believe he discovered in himself some moments of empathy, kindness and compassion. He is a kind and compassionate man. Shang-Chi also introduces new Asian American heroes to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and elevates existing ones such as Kingsleys Trevor Slattery or Benedict Wongs Wong.
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Cretton explained that it was important that Shang-Chi, Katy, and all the other characters in this movie were in a position where they could stand shoulder to shoulder with the great heroes of MCU. I am very excited to see what the future holds for them all.
Ronny Chiengs Jon Jon summarizes Shang-Chis' contribution to the MCU by saying, "Always bet on Asian" when considering the future of Asian super heroes.
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Shang-Chi: The Legend of the Ten Rings has arrived in cinemas. It is not yet known when Disney will stream it for a wider audience.
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