Creator Jim Starlin, who co-created Shang-Chi, gave some insight into the character who will star in Marvel Studios' upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Starlin was asked which of Shang-Chi's traits set him apart from other Marvel heroes on the Phase Zero Podcast. "The transition from basically [an] assassin to a hero, an indomitable will, and a sort of religious discipline, basically," Starlin said. " I think those are the three elements that make Shang-Chi more than any other character."
The Shang-Chi co-creator Stalin mentioned that the character could become the new "moral center" of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following Steve Rogers/Captain America's departure. "Shang-Chi on the other hand, even if he is an assassin to start off with, a moral character, at least the way Englehart and I created and worked with him, and I think most writers after that," Starlin added.
Stalin co-created Shang-Chi along with artist Steve Englehart. Dubbed "The Master of Kung Fu," Shang-Chi debuted in 1973's Special Marvel Edition #15 and has since appeared in many Marvel stories, including Heroes for Hire and The Protectors.
Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton and written by Daniel Callaham, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings stars Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Michelle Yeoh, Jiang Nan, Meng'er Zhang. Ronny Chieng, Fala Chen and Jiang Len. The film arrives in theaters July 9, 2021.
Source: Phase Zero Podcast via Comicbook.com