What the ‘Shang-Chi’ post-credits scenes mean for Marvel’s Phase Four

The film ends with Wong (Benedict Wong) interrupting Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) and Katy (Awkwafina) at dinner, summoning them (presumably) to the Bleeker Street sanctum he shares with Doctor Strange. A mid-credits scene offers a quick glimpse at the newly minted heroes meeting with veteran Avengers Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) to speculate about the origins of the titular rings.

Besides establishing some of the top-ranking Avengers who are still active following the losses of Avengers: Endgame, the scene also reveals that the rings (bracelets, really) are emitting a mysterious beacon that might be key to a larger arc of Phase Four. (The scene also hints that Katy could have an increased presence in upcoming Shang-Chi instalments, considering she is the first superhero sidekick to be granted a seat at the adults’ table).

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The Mandarin’s rings in the comics were drastically different from the ones depicted in the film. For one thing, they were worn on his fingers rather than the thick metal bangles adorning Tony Leung’s forearms. “In the comics, the rings were actually finger rings and have really different powers, are kind of kooky and they came from a spaceship,” the film’s co-writer Dave Callaham said. “I cannot tell you what they’re made out of because that is a story for another day. They are mystical and magical and they do a lot of amazing things.”

In the comics, the rings are of Makluan origin, a shape-shifting cosmic species of space dragons (villain Fin Fang Foom is perhaps the best-known Makluan character and could be introduced in an upcoming movie. There was an Easter egg bearing the character in 2008’s Iron Man).

They are also known as the “Ten Realm Rings,” which neatly sets up potential Thor and Loki involvement; the realms were mentioned in both Thor: The Dark World and the Disney+ Loki series. Since the upcoming Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Spider-Man: No Way Home both seem to be continuing down the multiverse thread introduced in Spider-Man: Far From Home (and expanded upon in Loki), it’s safe to say this next phase of the MCU will be more of the space variety.

Following the credits is an additional teaser scene featuring Shang-Chi’s sister Xialing in the middle of some pretty extensive renovations of their late father’s compound. After her underground fight club suffered damage in the brawl against her father’s forces, it’s only right for Xialing to seize command of the Ten Rings army - and allow women to join the forces too. What exactly she’ll do with that army remains an open question.

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Equally notable is the tag that confirms that “The Ten Rings will return,” rather than Shang-Chi. While a sequel has not yet been confirmed, it’s all but guaranteed that the character will be back in an upcoming Marvel film. Whether it’s another solo outing remains to be determined by how the film does at the box office.

“We know we have a success on our hands when we do a test screening and people come out and ask ‘When are we gonna see Shang-Chi again?’ or ‘When are we gonna see the numerous other characters in this movie?’” Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige said at the film’s premiere. “The answer is: soon.”