Though many superhero films feature their protagonists developing a romantic interest over the course of the film, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings omits this common trope. According to filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, this noticeable omission was an intentional decision.
During a press conference attended by CBR, Cretton explained his rationale behind not including a romantic subplot for the eponymous Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero. Instead, Cretton -- who directed and co-wrote the film with David Callaham -- drew from his and Callaham's own personal experiences as Shang-Chi and his best friend Katy found themselves drawn into a deadly fantasy world.
"We actually have a lot of friends who are not the same gender as us, and it is strictly platonic but also very intimate, caring and we haven't seen a lot of that on screen and we’re really excited to create that relationship between Shang-Chi and Katy," Cretton explained. "It also just naturally felt like the only way to go with this movie because Shang-Chi is so deep in his own inner struggle. I don't think there’s emotional space for anything else."
Stars Simu Liu and Awkwafina, who portray Shang-Chi and Katy, agreed with Cretton's decision, with Awkwafina feeling Shang-Chi had no time for love with world-shattering developments going on around them. "I don't think he has room in his life right [now]," she said. "I think he has so much going on for... a neurotic girlfriend."
Liu joked that his character simply wasn't emotionally available throughout the movie's epic story, focusing on the stakes rather than random romance. "I just have a lot going on right now. I’m just not really emotionally available right now," he added with a laugh. "It's just not the right time for us."
Directed and co-written by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is in theaters now.