WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, in theaters now.
Shang-Chi director Destin Daniel Cretton explained what the final post-credits scene means for the future of the MCU.
Cretton spoke to ET about the new Marvel film, and the conversation soon moved to Meng'er Zhang and her performance as Shang-Chi's sister, Xialing. "If you meet her in person, you will see even more of how much of a star she is, because she is so different from her character," Cretton said of Zhang. "She's a joy. She's so fun."
Everyone involved clearly agreed with Cretton's assessment of Zhang as the second of two post-credits scenes in Shang-Chi sees Xialing take over -- and make over -- the Ten Rings organization. And while most Marvel Studios' films end with a that the star will return, Shang-Chi intriguingly ends with the promise of the Ten Rings returning. Though this could mean both the group and the mythical rings, the subject of the first post-credits scene, it clearly indicates the terrorists will be back. But will they change their ways now that Wenwu is no longer in charge?
"I feel like this family as a whole has taken steps towards healing, but I also think that it would be pretty unrealistic to believe that everything has been patched up," Cretton said of the potential conflict that will arise between Shang-Chi and Xialing given her new role. "I think there was a very clear, emotional throughline that Xialing had been dealing with throughout our movie that was not addressed. And she clearly deserves as much attention as Shang-Chi does in the context of her family. There is a line in the middle of the movie where she tells Katy that if her dad won't let her into his empire, she's going to build her own. So, to see her sit on that throne and redefine it in a way that is uniquely hers is very exciting. I think there are many ways to view that moment. And they're probably all right."
Xialing also has access to the same Ta Lo-based abilities as Shang-Chi and her mother, Ying Li, and shows a connection to the Great Protector. It's also possible she feels entitled to the actual rings and may attempt to take them from her brother. Regardless, Xialing and Meng'er Zhang are clearly not going anywhere.
To see Xialing take control of her birthright, check out Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in theaters.
Source: ET