The Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brought a whole range of new characters to the MCU, as well as featuring several returning cast members — here is the Shang-Chi cast. Telling a story of a family fractured by loss, as well as that of a long-feared supernatural enemy, Shang-Chi has been praised by critics for its heartfelt story and the ways it expands the MCU into new territory. It also features a cast of mostly Asian actors, both new and legendary, bringing welcome diversity into the canon of Marvel superheroes.
The collected Shang-Chi cast is a true gamut of talent. Given the focus on king fu and martial arts, the inclusion of Asian cinema legends Michelle Yeoh and Tony Leung Chiu-wai is a boon for Marvel. Simu Liu's and Meng'er Zhang's martial arts finesse and Awkafina's comedy truly add their own elements to the movie. There are also a range of connections to the wider MCU and smaller characters who make a mark and seem destined to go on to other roles within the MCU. Here's a full cast and character guide for Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, including all new and returning MCU actors.
Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
Shaun (the name he chooses to go by to hide his identity) is content with his life until a band of assassins tries to steal the jade pendant his mother gave him. The confrontation results in an action-packed fight on a bus, and shows that Shang-Chi (his true name) already has significant fighting skills. The story centers around Shang's relationship with his father, and the events surrounding his mother's death years before. The star of the Shang-Chi cast, Liu has experience as a stuntman, and also appeared in the TV sitcom Kim's Convenience and will be in 2023's Barbie.
Awkwafina as Katy
Working alongside Shang-Chi at the San Francisco hotel is Katy (Awkwafina). She's happy as a valet but is very keen to set off on Shang-Chi's adventure with him when the opportunity arises, and they had to Macao to find his sister. While Katy doesn't have superpowers, her highly developed driving skills – more than just those of a valet – definitely come in handy. Awkwafina of the Shang-Chi cast is most well known for her lead role in Lulu Wang's The Farewell, playing Peik Lin in Crazy Rich Asians, voicing Sisu in Raya and the Last Dragon, and starring in her own series, Awkwafina is Nora from Queens.
Tony Leung Chiu-wai as Xu Wenwu
Hong Kong cinema legend Tony Leung Chiu-wai portrays Wenwu in the Shang-Chi cast, Shang-Chi's father, and the leader of the Ten Rings organization. While that role has previously been described in the MCU as holding the title "The Mandarin," Wenwu strikes the record clear in saying that title was made up by Killian Aldrich and Trevor Slattery for the events depicted in Iron Man 3.
Wenwu is a centuries-old conqueror, gifted long life by his possession of the Ten Rings, but one who loves his family, and Leung is a standout in portraying the conflicted character. Tony Leung has a long career in Hong Kong cinema, but is most well known for his roles in the works of Wong Kar-wai, including Chungking Express and In the Mood for Love, as well as Ang Lee's Lust, Caution, and martial arts films such as the wuxia film Hero. His most recent credit is the drama/thriller Hidden Blade.
Meng'er Zhang as Xialing
Shang-Chi's steely and entrepreneurial sister, Xialing (Meng'er Zhang) in the Shang-Chi cast runs the fight club where Wong fights the Abomination. She's far more motivated than Shang to make her mark on the world, and no less skilled as a martial artist. She joins Shang and Katy on their journey as they confront Wenwu and discovers more about their mother. Shang-Chi is Zhang's first acting credit, and has since appeared as Milva in The Witcher.
Michelle Yeoh as Ying Nan
Another martial arts legend, Michelle Yeoh plays Ying Nan in the Shang-Chi cast, aunt to Shang-Chi and Xialing, and sister to their mother. When Shang and Xialing reach their mother's mystical village, they're greeted warmly by their aunt, who also helps Shang-Chi to master the powers once held by his mother. Michelle Yeoh is a highly regarded actress in both Asian cinema and Hollywood, most famously appearing in the James Bond film Tomorrow Never Dies.
Yeoh has also starred in the wuxia film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, and Crazy Rich Asians. She currently portrays Philippa Georgiou in Star Trek: Discovery, and will lead a Section 31 spin-off, and previously appeared in the MCU in a cameo role as Aleta Ogord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Her movie Everything Everywhere All at Once dominated the 2023 Oscars, winning Yeoh a Best Actress Oscar.
Fala Chen as Jiang Li
In his search for ever more power while holding the Ten Rings, Wenwu seeks out the fabled village of Ta-Lo, where he meets the guardian Jiang Li (Fala Chen) in the Shang-Chi cast. The two fight, and Li manages to best Wenwu, despite his possession of the rings. Wenwu met his match, and the two fell in love, welcoming two children to their family – Shang-Chi and Xialing. Chen previously appeared in Hong Kong TV shows such as Steps and No Regrets, as well as films Tales from the Dark 2, Turning Point, and the HBO Max miniseries Irma Vep.
Florian Munteanu as Razor Fist
Part of the Ten Rings organization and the Shang-Chi cast, Razor Fist (Florian "Big Nasty" Munteanu) is a powerful grunt who works on behalf of Wenwu. He seeks out Shang-Chi with a group of cronies, and is handily beaten – though he does manage to obtain the jade pendant he's seeking from Shang. Munteanu is a former heavyweight boxer, and also appeared as Viktor Drago in Creed II and George Maniakes in Vikings: Valhalla.
Ben Kingsley as Trevor Slattery
Iron Man 3 contains one of the most controversial character decisions Marvel Studios has ever made – putting Ben Kingsley in the Shang-Chi cast as Trevor Slattery, an actor employed by Aldritch Killian (Guy Pearce) to play a falsified version of the vaunted Marvel villain The Mandarin, leader of the Ten Rings organization. Kingsley returns in Shang-Chi to reprise the role of Slattery, who has been captured by Wenwu (the real leader of the Ten Rings) in punishment for his posing all those years ago.
He sets off alongside Shang-Chi, Xialing, and Katy to find Ta-Lo, really just wanting to escape Wenwu's imprisonment. Ben Kingsley is a highly respected actor, most well known for roles such as Mohandas Gandhi in Gandhi, for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor, as well as extensive stage and film credits such as Schindler's List, Twelfth Night, The House of Sand and Fog, and most recently Salvador Dali in Daliland.
Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings Supporting Cast
Benedict Wong as Wong: Reprising his role from the Doctor Strange movies, The Avengers films, and the She-Hulk series, Wong appears as the primary character in the Shang-Chi cast that connects Shang-Chi to the wider MCU. His appearance fighting the Abomination in Xialing's tournament is one such connection, and he appears in one of the movie's post-credits scenes, recruiting Shang and Katy into the superhero fold.
Tim Roth as Abomination: Returning to the Shang-Chi cast to voice his role from The Incredible Hulk, Tim Roth is back in the MCU for the first time in more than a decade. He has a small part fighting Wong, as described above, and appeared as Abomination in the Disney+ series She-Hulk.
Yuen Wah as Master Guang Bo: Serving as a leader of the mystical village of Ta-Lo, Guang Bo is an accomplished fighter and a stern leader. He is an accomplished Hong Kong action film star, choreographer, and stuntman, with more than 160 credits, including work as Bruce Lee's stunt double.
Andy Le as Death Dealer: This masked character serves as both a trainer for Shang-Chi in the Shang-Chi cast in his youth, as well as an agent for Wenwu. He is an extremely skilled martial artist. Andy Le previously appeared in The Paper Tigers and Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and appeared alongside Michelle Yeoh in Everything Everywhere All at Once.
Ronnie Chieng as Jon Jon: Serving as an administrator for Xialing's organization and tournament in the Shang-Chi cast, Jon Jon welcomes Shang-Chi and Katy to Macao, and immediately enlists Shang into the tournament, where he faces Xialing. Chieng is a comedian and actor, playing a senior correspondent on Comedy Central's The Daily Show, and previously appeared as Eddie Cheng in Crazy Rich Asians, as well as creating and starring in the sitcom Ronny Chieng: International Student, M3GAN, and History of the World: Part II.
Brie Larson as Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel: Appearing in a brief post-credits cameo, Larson reprises her role as Danvers to confer with Wong, Shang, and Katy about the nature and origin of the Ten Rings, as well as welcoming Shang and Katy to the superhero family. Since appearing as Danvers in Shang Chi, Larson has also played the character in a Ms. Marvel cameo.
Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner: Ruffalo also appears in the same brief post-credits cameo, offering the signature scientific expertise of Bruce Banner. Notably, he does not appear in his "Smart Hulk" form, and his arm is still in a sling, indicating he is still recovering from the events of Avengers: Endgame. He recently reprised his role as Bruce Banner in What If..? and She-Hulk.
Stephanie Hsu and Kunal Dudhekar as Soo and John: Soo and John are friends of Shang and Katy, meeting them for drinks and meals at bars – they serve to reflect on Shang and Katy's life choices, as well as the incredible events that are depicted in the movie. Hsu appeared in Everything Everywhere All at Once and The Path, while Dudhekar can also be seen in Better Things and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Further cast members in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings include: Jaden Zhang as Young Shang-Chi; Arnold Sun as Teen Shang-Chi; Elodie Fong as Young Xialing; Paul He as Chancellor Hui; Tsai Chin as Waipo; Jodi Long as Mrs. Chen; Dallas Liu as Ruihua; and Zach Cherry, who reprises his role as Klev from Spider-Man: Homecoming.
Who In The Shang-Chi Cast Would Return For Shang-Chi 2?
With Shang-Chi 2 officially confirmed, who from the Shang-Chi cast is set to return? Simu Liu is reportedly on board to reprise his role as Shang Chi, and while there's no official word yet from Awkwafina, it's likely that she'll come back as Katy in Shang-Chi 2. Many are hopeful that Michelle Yeoh will make another appearance as Shang-Chi's aunt, but the cast is, as of now unconfirmed. Now that Meng'er Zhang is head of the Ten Rings organization, it's probable that Xialing would return. Of course, there's also always Wong who pops up everywhere, which could include the Shang-Chi and the Legend of Ten Rings sequel.