The internet has been abuzz about the Shang-Chi movie in the last year. There was an announcement and subsequent plot detail leaks of the upcoming movie. Shang-Chi is certainly not one of Marvel’s household names, but that can absolutely be a good thing. As evidenced by lesser-known properties like Guardians of The Galaxy. Marvel is highly focused on diversity in the comics and films at the moment. They still are not putting the Shang-Chi movie front and center. Below, I would like to detail just how long this character has been in the works for getting a film treatment. Also, read on to Part II as I detail possibly the most slept on book related to Shang-Chi.

Overview of Shang-Chi Film Attempts

First try: Stan Lee Meets With Brandon Lee To Star

According to Margaret Loesch, former president and CEO of Marvel Productions, Stan Lee believed in the character and actually had a great interest in making a Shang-Chi movie or television series back in the 1980s. Stan Lee was in talks with Bruce Lee’s son, Brandon Lee (who later starred in The Crow) to play the titular role of the Master of Kung Fu. Loesch states she cannot remember the details specifically. Basically, she recalls that the project fizzled out after being shopped around and ultimately receiving no interest from networks.

Second Attempt: In Development At DreamWorks With Paramount Pictures Distribution

In addition to this earliest effort, there was an attempt to make a film starring this character in the early 2000s called The Hands of Shang-Chi. It was in Development at DreamWorks Pictures and had Yuen Woo-ping set to direct (Hong Kong martial arts choreographer and director, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Kung Fu Hustle) and Ang Lee to produce. Unfortunately, this project never came to fruition, and in the mid-2000s the rights to the character reverted back to Marvel. In 2005 Marvel had announced that they had raised the half-million dollars needed to begin making their own films. As opposed to licensing them out to production companies. They had a deal with Paramount Pictures that would handle the distribution. The Shang-Chi movie was in the list of films they were planning on developing concurrently, along with Captain America, Avengers, Nick Fury, Black Panther, Ant-Man, Cloak & Dagger, Dr. Strange, Hawkeye, and Power Pack (interestingly enough). As time went on and their plans evolved, characters were shuffled (Iron Man was not even in the initial plans) and Shang-Chi among others were put on hold for the time being.

Third Time's The Charm: Marvel Studios

Well, the best things in life are worth waiting for, and we are finally getting treatment of the character with the upcoming film Shang-Chi And The Legend of The Ten Rings. As of now, we have a release date of May 7, 2021. Pushed back from the earlier date of February 12, 2021, due to COVID-19. Even with these additional delays, the timing is great. With the success of the recent Chinese film franchise IP Man and the incredible martial arts choreography therein, it looks like a ripe time to introduce the martial arts world in the MCU.

With that in mind, I would like to submit to you one book in particular that may see significant jumps in value as the propagation of a new modern era Kung Fu fever is anticipated.

...And no, it is not Special Marvel Edition #15.

 

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