In Shang-Chi 2: The Wreckage of Time (2025), Marvel Studios continues the journey of Shang-Chi (Simu Liu), who is now fully embracing his role as the wielder of the Ten Rings. The sequel introduces a cosmic-level threat, blending martial arts with time-bending elements, as Shang-Chi is forced to navigate not only his own past but also the very fabric of reality.
The trailer hints that the Ten Rings possess powers far beyond what Shang-Chi understood in the first film. They begin causing anomalies in time, attracting the attention of new and old enemies. Strange visions haunt Shang-Chi, showing moments from both his life and alternate timelines, where choices have devastating consequences. Wong (Benedict Wong) reappears to warn Shang-Chi about the temporal disturbance. Together, they must uncover the true origin and purpose of the Ten Rings.
The movie introduces the main antagonist, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors), who seeks to control the Rings to manipulate time itself. As a master of time travel, Kang’s arrival sets off a series of events that threaten to unravel history. The trailer teases intense battles, with Shang-Chi facing not only Kang but also warriors from different eras—some drawn from the distant past, others from dystopian futures. These foes challenge him physically and mentally, pushing Shang-Chi to his limits.
Xu Xialing (Meng’er Zhang), Shang-Chi’s sister, plays a significant role in the sequel. She has taken control of the Ten Rings organization and struggles with its legacy. The siblings must confront their shared past while working together to stop Kang. However, the power of the Rings starts to corrupt, blurring the line between hero and villain for Xialing, creating tension between the two.
The climactic scenes feature an epic showdown with Kang, as Shang-Chi learns to harness the full, time-bending potential of the Ten Rings. In the final moments, Shang-Chi confronts the possibility of altering reality itself to prevent Kang’s domination, but doing so comes at a great personal cost.
