During today’s ESPN NBA Countdown, Marvel Studios aired a new trailer for the upcoming film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, which introduces Marvel’s next new hero. This new trailer gives us an even greater look at the plot of the film, which has been largely under wraps, and showcases a surprise Marvel character appearance.
The beginning of this new clip establishes the conflict between Shang-Chi, played by Simu Liu, and his father Wenwu, played by Tony Leung. Shang-Chi is a great fighter, as seen in the trailer’s brief fighting sequence, but he does not want to turn to violence in the same way that his criminal father has. He changed his name and started a new life to distance himself from his father, but can only escape him for so long until he comes calling.
The father and son face off in an intense battle which will likely be a highlight in the full film. In this trailer we are given just a short shot of it, which shows off the powers the two of them possess.
The end of the trailer includes a surprise for attentive longtime Marvel fans, who may recognize Abomination, from the 2008 film The Incredible Hulk, fighting Shang-Chi in the ring. Abomination, played by Tim Roth, was the enemy of the Hulk then played by Edward Norton. The character has also been confirmed to appear in the upcoming Disney+ series, She-Hulk.
Abomination may not be the only creature in this film, as we also see briefly what looks like a large tiger-like animal, and an underwater dragon. There are sure to be many new elements of magic and the fantastical in this film, adding on to the already massive mythos that the Marvel Cinematic Universe has been cultivating.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings arrives in theaters on September 3, 2021.