The latest Spider-Man 4 update is great, but now I’m worried about the MCU’s best new character

The MCU Spider-Man 4 has received a huge update in the form of its director, and while I’m excited about the news, it makes me worry about the franchise’s most exciting new character. Since the end of Spider-Man: No Way HomeAudiences have been patiently waiting for updates on a fourth movie starring Tom Holland. As someone whose all-time favorite superhero is Spider-Man, I’ve been anticipating news about Spider-Man 4s history as much as anyone else.

Spider-Man 4 Has been all but confirmed since the immense success of Spider-Man: No Way Home. While the upcoming movie in the MCU was never given an allocated release date or many updates of any kind beyond the return of Holland, Marvel president Kevin Feige was adamant that the film would happen. In September 2024, I was excited to see that these tees were finally made a reality when Spider-Man 4s writing and directing team has been announced. However, the announcement proved to be a double-edged sword as it raised some concerns about the best new MCU character.

The Spider-Man 4 updates are great, but I’m worried about Shang-Chi’s MCU future

What does the future hold for Shang-Chi’s storyline?

The update in question was that Destin Daniel Cretton will direct spider man 4, With screenwriters Erik Sommers and Chris McKenna returning from the MCU Come home Trilogy. The upcoming Spider-Man The film is clearly in good hands, with Sommers and McKenna knowing the MCU world inside and out, and Cretton having fantastic credits to his name. Not only has Cretton directed great movies like Short term 12 And just pity But his latest efforts include the MCU’s second best-reviewed movie ever Avengers: Endgame – Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

While this can only mean good things for Spider-Man 4, I am now worried about Shang-Chis MCU future. Since 2021 and the release of the latter, little news has been provided about a sequel. Creton is confirmed to write and direct Shang-Chi 2s story shortly after the first film was released, but apart from some confirmation from star Simu Liu, no concrete updates have been given in the years since. Creton was initially set to show Avengers 5 When it was titled The Kang Dynasty But reportedly stepped down to work on Shang-Chi 2.

It seemed like a positive update, that is, until the announcement of Creton directing Spider-Man 4. don’t get me wrong, I am now immensely more excited for Spider-Man 4 As I already was, but where Shang-Chi 2 Is concerned, the future does not look bright. The questions that now remain about the latter are whether a new director will be hired for the film, whether Cretton will do it alone after spider man 4, Or if a sequel to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is generally in Marvel Studios’ plans.

Destin Daniel Cretton’s Marvel change could prove Disney’s overhaul is happening

Disney CEO Bob Iger may finally get his wish

One thing I immediately thought of when I saw the news about Creton’s directorial switch between Shang-Chi 2 And Spider-Man 4 was Disney CEO Bob Iger’s latest MCU overhaul. At the start of 2024, Iger outlined his plans amid dwindling box office returns for the MCU, at the heart of which was the decision to move away from smaller, lesser-known Marvel properties and franchises and renew the focus on the strongest Take in Marvel. In Iger’s view, The strongest franchise in question probably referred to Spider-Man, Captain America, Thor, black panther, And The AvengersTo name just a few.

Unfortunately for fans of Shang-ChiIncluding myself, this does not cover the new MCU hero. Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings was a fantastic movie that audiences responded to. however, There is no denying that Shang-Chi Is not yet a franchise that can stand tall alongside The Avengers Or Spider-Man at the box office. Its $400+ million worldwide total during COVID-19 was commendable, however Shang-Chi Simply does not have the same pulling power.

With this in mind, it may be the case that Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Sequel has been placed on the back burner. As Marvel focuses on more bankable characters, the studio’s priorities may have shuffled away from Shang-Chi to Spider-Man. That would certainly explain Cretton’s directorial switch and the speed with which Marvel is reportedly looking to produce Spider-Man 4With a shooting date set for early 2025.

It would be a mistake for Marvel to ignore Shang-Chi in the MCU

Shang-Chi proves a success for critics and audiences alike

All this is to say that I think ignoring Shang-Chi Would be a mistake for Marvel. Although, yes, it cannot hit the same heights as Spider-Man Or The Avengers Regarding box office numbers, it certainly struck a chord with audiences and critics. As I mentioned, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is one of the top-ranked movies in the MCU, judging by critical scores on Rotten Tomatoes. By the same metric, Shang-Chi is the second best reviewed movie ever Avengers: EndgameSecond only to Spider-Man: No Way Home.

Regarding public reception, Shang-ChiThe numbers are equally impressive. Its 98% audience approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes is the highest joint in the entire franchiseAgain standing tall with Spider-Man: No Way Home Which also holds a 98% rating. so too, Shang-Chi And the legend of the ten rings Has an “A” rating on CinemaScore, again proving how popular it was with general audiences.

When you delve into why the film received such a strong response, the likable aspects become clear. One such aspect is the fantastic action choreography in the MCU, with Shang-chi What I think are the single-best hand-to-hand action scenes in the entire franchise. The cast was also incredibly likable, from Simu Liu’s compelling, complex, badass titular character to Tony Leung’s all-time best MCU villain. These elements are seamlessly blended with the fascinating world of Chinese mythology to create Shang-chi A breath of fresh air, one that the folks at Marvel would be foolish not to capitalize on.

Will Shang-Chi still have an MCU future?

All this leads to the question whether Shang-Chi Will have a future in the MCU. It is worth noting that the original plan for Avengers 5 Gave Shang-Chi a major role before pivoting from Kang the Conqueror to Doom Avengers: Doomsday. Initially, this role in Avengers 5 is going to connect hard to a Shang-Chi Sequel, although now the future looks decidedly uncomfortable for the character. Avengers: DoomsdayThe story is now unlikely to include what was teased between Shang-Chi and Kang, and the sequel just received a huge blow due to Cretton’s other directorial commitments.

Despite Avengers 5s switch and Creton’s focus is set on Spider-Man 4There are ways where Marvel could establish a future for Shang-Chi. for one, A new director could be attached Shang-Chi 2 In the coming months, all these worries are empty and void. Similarly, Cretton can confirm that he still has every intention of directing Shang-Chi 2 yet Spider-Man 4With the only downside to this being the longer wait between the first movie and its successor. If all else fails, Spider-Man 4 Could see the web-slinger team up with the ring-wielder, offering an MCU connection for the ages.