Summary
After months of various rumored directors, it was finally revealed that director Destin Daniel Cretton would directSpider-Man 4for Sony and Marvel Studios. The move, of course, was surprising as Cretton was set to directShang-Chi 2for Marvel. However,that now appears to be delayed. That doesn’t mean the character can’t appear before his next solo film, though.
While the Tom Holland-ledSpider-Manfilms have namely focused on the web-slinger, they haven’t been without Marvel Cinematic Universe cameos before. The biggest, of course, would have been Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man, who helped the young hero inSpider-Man: Homecoming. While Charlie Cox made a minor cameo inSpider-Man: Far From Homeas Matt Murdock, and Benedict Cumberbatch appeared inSpider-Man: No Way Homeas Doctor Strange. With Cretton on board,Spider-Man 4should seek to use Shag-Chi in the upcoming sequel.
Why Shang-Chi Deserves to be in Spider-Man 4
WhenShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsdebuted in September 2021, the film did so to an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 91%. Both critics and fans alike were quick to note how well-executed the fight scenes were throughout the film, as well as the overall look of the feature, which managed to (mostly) escape the typical “Marvel movie” look. Although the film didn’t make knockout numbers, with studios still struggling after COVID-19, it still earned enough, with $432.2 million worldwide, to confirm a sequel was in the works. Sadly, though, movement on the sequel front has been lackluster, as the ever-busy Cretton signed an overall with Disney, that led to himproducing aWonder Manseriesfor Marvel Studios and Disney+. Cretton also directed episodes ofWonder Man, which stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in the titular role, giving him a more hands-on role in the project. More recently, though, Cretton also signed on to helm a live-action Naruto movie before Marvel and Sonygot him to sign on forSpider-Man. This means that any chance of Cretton getting to direct anotherShang-Chimovie is now seemingly years out,leaving the character in a waiting state. Thankfully,Spider-Man 4is a great place to bring Simu Liu back as Shang-Chi.
Bringing in a hero like Shang-Chi, a master of fighting, would allow the character the chance to train Peter Parker to fight. Cretton has already shown he knows how to direct exciting fight sequences, something theSpider-Manfilms could benefit from greatly, and seeing Shang-Chi and Spider-Man fight together on screen would be exciting. After all, it would be the perfect place for Shang-Chi to show Peter the Way of the Spider. More importantly, though, bringing the hero in for the next Spider-Man installment could also tie intoany multiversal elementsSpider-Man 4might include.
How Shang-Chi Appearing in Spider-Man Can Impact his Future
Unfortunately, the future ofShang-Chi 2remains unknown. It’s apparently still in the works, and leading man Liuseems to believe it’s still happening. It’s just a matter of when at this point. It’s possible Marvel Studios will decide to bring in a new director to direct the forthcoming sequel, especially as Cretton continues to add to his growing list of projects. However, that’s currently uncertain as of this point. It’s also more than likely the hero will appear in the next twoAvengersmovies -The Avengers: DoomsdayandThe Avengers: Secret Wars- but it’s unclear if he’ll return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe before then. This is precisely why it would be better for the character to appear inSpider-Man 4. As it stands, it’s been three years since Liu made his Marvel Cinematic Universe withShang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Marvel Studios has had an unfortunate track run of introducing new heroes and not entirely knowing what to do with them beyond the first film. We’ve seen this withThe Eternals, who continue to remain sidelined, and even She-Hulk, who hasn’t made an appearance since the season finale of her Disney+ series.
The studio is continuing to introduce more heroes with each new project, but as of now, it doesn’t appear like Marvel Studios has a clear plan for how to properly utilize them. A character like Shang-Chi shouldn’t be forced onto the sidelines. Not only with how important he is, having been the studio’s first Asian superhero to headline their own film, but also with how easily adaptable the character is. It’s not like Shang-Chi doesn’t have a history with Peter Parker in the comics. In fact, it’s in the comics that the hero teaches Peter Parker how to fight and learn to use the Way of the Spider. Rather than leaving Shang-Chi on the sidelines, with an uncertain future on the big screen, why not make use of his ties to Peter in the comics? It’s the type of team-up that would feel authentic and understandable, rather than a forced one that exists just for the sake of a Marvel Cinematic Universe cameo.
Spider-Man 4currently does not yet have a release date.Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Ringsis currently streaming on Disney+.
