Never confuse Marvel Studios for a business that would pass up the chance to cash in on some of 2018’s biggest film success stories. Fresh off the $1.3 billion-grossing success of “Black Panther” (which proved that *GASP!* audiences enjoy films with diverse casts) and “Crazy Rich Asians” (which proved that once again *GASP!* audiences enjoy films with diverse casts…even Asian casts), a new report suggests that the superhero hit factory is fast-tracking a new film that combines capitalizes on the popularity of diverse superheroes and…Asian people(?)…with their latest project — “Shang-Chi.”
Deadline is reporting that Chinese-American writer Dave Callaham has been hired to adapt the popular (but decidedly C-list) superhero for the big screen. For those unfamiliar with Shang-Chi, it’s quite simple to explain the character — he’s Marvel’s Bruce Lee. Okay, maybe that’s a bit reductive, but the truth is that back in the ‘70s, with the rise of Lee and Kung-Fu mysticism, the comic book company created Shang-Chi to fill a void in the Marvel Universe.
Marvel Studios hasn’t hired a director, as of yet, but the report says that Kevin Feige & Co. are already looking at a variety of Asian and Asian-American filmmakers to hire for the project.
It’s clear that Marvel is hoping that a “Shang-Chi” film checks a variety of boxes for the studio. First, it’s been mentioned for years, such as in “Doctor Strange” and “Iron Fist,” that Marvel has had a bit of a spotty track-record with its Asian casting (or lack thereof). So, a film written and directed by Asian or Asian-American folks, starring an Asian lead, is a clear sign that the superhero studio is listening. Not only that, the character is clearly one that Marvel hopes will do gangbusters in China (where the studio’s films routinely break records).
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However, before we can start handing all the money to Marvel Studios, there is a bit of a stigma that follows the character of Shang-Chi and will no doubt be mentioned quite a bit in the development. You see, Marvel Comics has a spotty history, as far as racial progress and stereotypes go. During the company’s early days, Asian stereotypes were commonplace, and Shang-Chi was no exception. Very (in)famously, the character was routinely drawn with yellow/gold skin for decades, only changing in the ‘90s. This is all on top of the fact that the storylines featuring the character have utilized every “mystical Asian” stereotype in existence. So, while it’s great that “Shang-Chi” looks to position Marvel Studios as a leader in Asian-American superhero storytelling, the comic book history of the character was built on some horrible stereotypes.
That being said, it’s Marvel Studios we’re talking about, and they haven’t truly released a bomb yet. So, for now, they have our benefit of the doubt.
