The news of Master of Kung Fu Shang-Chi to the big-screen on September 3, 2021, setting a Labor Day weekend opening record that greatly helped movie theaters get back in business from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was praised for its fantastic martial arts battles and the performances of Simu Liu, Tony Leung, and Awkafina, leading to Shang-Chi 2's confirmation before the end of the year.
Despite this, however, no release date was set in stone, while Marvel's huge unveiling of its Phase 5 and 6 slates at 2022's San Diego Comic-Con made no mention of Shang-Chi 2. While this might seem like an oversight, it is likely simply a matter of Marvel getting everything in place on what has become an extremely packed and tight slate of projects between movies and streaming shows, with several MCU movies and shows remaining undated. For Shang-Chi 2 specifically, all of those questions might finally be answered at Disney's D23 Expo.
2022's D23 Expo will be held on September 9 through September 11, with September 10 to feature the "Studio Showcase, Day 2: Marvel Studios, Lucasfilm, and 20th Century Studios", showcacoming releases from the aforementioned studio wings of the Disney banner. This is where Shang-Chi 2 could be officially dated at D23 Expo, especially in the vicinity of its predecessor's one-year anniversary. This could finally provide clarification on the timeframe of Shang-Chi 2's arrival.
When Shang-Chi 2 Can Release In Phase 6
With the first end-credits scene of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings featuring Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) appearing alongside Mark Ruffalo's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, its potential direct ties to Shang-Chi 2 could also make it the last MCU movie to release before the crossover, possibly in March 2025. What makes dating Shang-Chi 2 and other MCU films more complicated is just how packed Marvel's slate has become.
With Marvel having declared Phase 5 and 6, along with Phase 4 retroactively, as comprising "The Multiverse Saga", a total of nine movies and numerous streaming shows are known to make it up, and that only includes what has been officially announced. Moreover, while Destin Daniel Cretton was previously announced to return for Shang-Chi 2, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty could necessitate him abdicating directing duties on Shang-Chi 2. Still, the slots between The Marvels and The Blade or just ahead of The Kang Dyansty seem like they could be best places for Shang-Chi 2 to arrive.
Shang-Chi 2 is not alone in awaiting a release date, with even Kang's possible connection to the Ten Rings.
