Shang-Chi 2 potential release date, cast, plot and everything you need to know about the sequel (2025)

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has officially been confirmed for a sequel – not that we ever had any doubt. With a positive response from critics, the MCU Phase 4 movie has cemented itself as a key part of the future of Marvel.

However, that doesn't mean that we will see a sequel anytime soon. Marvel has lots of other projects on the go that will come first – including the remainder of its Phase 5 movies, The Marvels, Captain America: New World Order, Thunderbolts and Blade, which all have release dates later in 2023 and into 2024. And there are plenty of TV series in the Marvel diary ahead of a potential Shang-Chi sequel.

So when might we see more from Shang-Chi and his pal Katy, and what might they be up to in a sequel? Here's everything we know – and can speculate – about Shang-Chi 2.

Shang-Chi 2 potential release date: When will Shang-Chi 2 be out in cinemas?

Marvel likes to plan ahead, and it's got Phase 5 and Phase 6 already on its calendar without a mention of the Shang-Chi sequel. However, there are two unclaimed dates in Phase 6, either of which could belong to Shang-Chi 2.

That being said, director Destin Daniel Cretton has already been tapped to helm another Marvel project: Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. While he had been confirmed as writing and directing the sequel, there's always room for shake-ups at Marvel and we wouldn't be surprised if there were further shifts.

The speculation game applies to any information on a trailer debut. For now, if you want a dose of Shang-Chi, you'll just have to watch the movie again!

Shang-Chi 2 cast: Who will return for Shang-Chi 2?

We can't see a sequel without its stars Simu Liu and Awkwafina, and given how the film ends we know that the duo are set to do some incredible things. Awkwafina said she wouldn't want to see them separated, and we can't picture it either.

As for the film's other leads, it's unlikely Tony Leung Chiu-wai would return, given Wenwu's death at the end of the film. However, flashbacks are A Thing, but given how well the movie wrapped up his emotional arc, we doubt Leung will reprise the role.

Meng'er Zhang would likely return as Xialing, Shang-Chi's sister, who at the end of the film took over her father's criminal empire. This could also mean a return for Florian Munteanu as Razorfist, a Ten Rings henchman.

Someone we thought we'd seen the last of in the MCU (but hadn't) was Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery, the disgraced actor-turned-terrorist-turned-jester. His arc in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was never quite wrapped up, so we could be seeing him again.

Whether or not the sequel returns to Ta Lo, we have to hope it will make better use of bonafide movie star/Oscar-winning actress Michelle Yeoh. The only other non-Shang-Chi Marvel character to feature was Wong (Benedict Wong), but it's a toss-up as to which other MCU characters could feature in a sequel.

Shang-Chi 2 plot: What will Shang Chi-2 be about?

Unfortunately, at this point, it's a guessing game as to what may happen in Shang-Chi 2.

A sequel could follow a criminal mastermind Xialing as she butts head with her brother, but again this is pure speculation on our part. Neither Liu nor Awkwafina have confirmed anything about future plans.

Liu has said that he'd like to explore what his character does with his newfound powers, explaining: "I'm curious as to how someone much younger, much more inexperienced, would fare against the rings. Just this idea of all of a sudden being gifted something that's so powerful but also so dangerous."

The post-credits scenes tease both a future for Shang-Chi and Katy with the broader Avengers, as well as a glimpse into Xialing's potential. Whatever happens, we know that there are a lot of ideas floating around.

Marvel's Kevin Feige said: "We certainly have many ideas of where to take them and where to put them. What's so fun, we know the movie's working when it's not just the title character that people ask about, but it is the co-stars or the supporting players that people ask about.

"And in this movie in particular, that's heartening because we think they're spectacular, and we think they have great potential in the future."

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now available on Disney+