Why Marvel Redesigned The Ten Rings In Shang-Chi?

The redesigning of Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings sets them different from the previous weapons used in the MCU and brings more Kung Fu vibes to the film.

The latest release of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is receiving rave reviews from both fans and critics. In this regard, Rotten Tomatoes echoed that the reason behind the movie’s success is its comedic timing and elaborative action sequences. Being a Phase 4 film of the MCU, it is perhaps opening doors to the future of the franchise that is all set to include the magical Ten Rings.

But apparently, the Rings that appeared in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings are not the same as reflected in the comics. There is a purposeful decision behind that aimed to avoid resembling the looking goofy and Infinity Gauntlet. The rings in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings were redesigned to depict the magic versions of Hung Gar’s iron rings. This potentially helped to reinforce the Kung Fu and martial arts elements in the film.

The Ten Rings Are Like Infinity Stones

In Marvel Comics, the Ten Rings are seemed to be worn just like any other classic rings on the fingers. Just like Infinity Stones, each of the Ten Rings had its own kind of special powers and unique names associated with it. When wielded altogether, it offers the wearer immense power. Both the Infinity Stones and the Ten Rings come from space, which implies the reason behind their cosmic and Earth-shattering powers. The Mandarin used Rings to build a shadow organization and scatter an immense power, similar to what Thanos did with the Infinity Stones.

Shang-Chi And Hung Gar’s Ten Rings

Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings are different from their cosmic counterpart. It is clearly discoverable with a minute detail that the Rings are not worn on the fingers but on forearms. This depicts a type of King Fu that originates directly from Southern China. In Hung Gar, the Rings were used to strengthen and harden the muscle, bones, and skin while performing a harder fighting style with martial art. But in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, the Rings could be detached from the wrists to deliver powerful punches. They additionally have the power to grant the long life that Xu Wenwu used to build up his Ten Rings organization.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings take Ten Rings and reinvent them to become more like Hung Gar iron rings. By doing so, they make the Rings more suitable for wuxia and Kung Fu elements that Daniel Destin Cretton (Director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings) wanted to highlight. This is what sets the film different from all the previous Marvel Cinematic Universe weapons.

With that said, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is currently available only in theaters.