The exciting new Asian-American superhero epic “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” from Marvel and Disney Studios is an important milestone for Asian actors, creators and audiences worldwide. Tagged to be the “Black Panther” of superhero movies with an Asian focus, it’s rallying support from AAPI organizations and artists.
CNN notes:
Advocates for increasing Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in film and television are doing everything they can to ensure Disney and Marvel’s “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” scores a knockout at the box office when it opens in theaters Friday.The martial arts superhero film featuring the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s first Asian-American title character, along with a mostly East Asian cast, has been compared to “Black Panther” in terms of its potential cultural significance.Supporters of the film, directed by Asian-American filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, have launched multiple GoFundMe campaigns so hundreds of children and their parents can see the movie for free this week.
CNN
But the movie’s launch and promotions have also generated protest and controversy, with many accusing Disney of not giving the film equal promotion and visibility to other recent Marvel Cinematic Universe entries. Even its release schedule has been singled out as unequal.
Disney has taken heat from fans on Twitter in recent weeks for deciding not to do a simultaneous theatrical and streaming release for “Shang-Chi” as the studio did for “Black Widow” in early July. Disney CEO Bob Chapek told analysts the film will have a 45-day theatrical window following its release Friday and will be available on Disney+ afterward. Some have criticized that decision for potentially compelling audiences to venture out to theaters while the Covid-19 Delta variant is surging in parts of the country.
CNN
Still, the film received a big Hollywood premiere at LA’s El Capitan Theatre August 16th, and hopes are high for its success.
The importance of AAPI representation is something Chinese-Canadian actor Simu Liu, who plays the titular hero in “Shang-Chi,” has been vocal about since being cast for the role in 2019.
“When ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ came out three years ago, we celebrated that as the first studio movie with a predominantly Asian cast in almost 25 years,” Liu told Variety earlier this month. “I’m looking forward to the moment where we no longer celebrate firsts. We’re celebrating seconds, and thirds, and fourths and fifths. So I’ll take this moment for what it is. It is absolutely that watershed moment. … But I hope that there are many more just like it afterwards.”
CNN, “Asian Americans Rally in Support of Disney and Marvel’s Shang-Chi”
Watch the dramatic superhero epic at theatres, and on Disney+ in October.
PS, PeterFever Studios had our own Asian superhero adult parody super-epic three years ago, when “Gayvengers” hit the internet. Watch the trailer here and check it out with all the other fantastic offerings at PeterFever.com (and watch in coming months for an exciting SEQUEL!!)
