Shang-Chi Deleted Scene Proves Wenwu Is Tied To 2009 Iron Man

Thanks to the Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings deleted scenes, we now know how Wenwu is tied to the 2009 Iron Man.

With the movie DVD now out, a bunch of deleted/alternative scenes are painting a larger picture of everything Ten Rings was, could’ve been, and will be. Sadly, none of these scenes are available on Disney+.

In the one titled “Do It Yourself,” we see Wenwu dealing with a captured Iron Gang leader. It’s a flashback scene where Wenwu has just been back from Afghanistan after meeting up with Raza, the leader of the Ten Rings unit over there.

Now, Wenwu makes it seem like he is completely aware of Raza’s operations — which also means he would’ve known of the deal with Obadiah Stane and the kidnapping of Tony Stark. The same isn’t spelled out loud in dialogues, but the implication is there.

Ten Rings functions just like a real-world terrorist organization, which is divided into smaller, independent units which ensures the whole organization does not get compromised at any given point in time.

This is why, although Ten Rings is responsible for what went down in Iron Man, Wenwu was probably not involved in it directly.

I, for one, really liked Wenwu’s character and was extremely sad to see him go. In another alternate Shang-Chi ending scene, Wenwu was written to stay alive. He would still pass down his rings to Shang-Chi and the organization to Xialing.

But the studio believed his death would make a greater impact on the story, and so that became Shang-Chi’s final cut. (Darn it, great parental sacrifice!)

I’m crossing my fingers, hoping that we do get to see more of Tony Leung, who brought so much depth to the character, either in flashbacks or prequels. The actual history of the Ten Rings, both the organization and the iron ring weapons, is largely unexplored and certainly calls for the comeback of an enigmatic character like Wenwu.

If you haven’t deduced it yet, Shang-Chi’s ending title card “Ten Rings will return” actually points to Xialing returning with her own Ten Rings organization in a Disney+ series. And, of course, Shang-Chi 2 is in the book as well

About Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten rings is an upcoming American superhero film directed by Destin Daniel Cretton. It is based on the Marvel Comics character Shang-Chi.

Cast members include Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh, Fala Chen, and Ronny Chieng.

When Shang-Chi is drawn into the clandestine Ten Rings organization, he is forced to confront the past he thought he left behind. Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the movie will be a part of its ongoing Phase Four.