Warning: Spoilers for Ms. Marvel episode 3
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Now, they’re in the possession of Simu Liu’s Shang-Chi.
Shang-Chi isn’t the only new Phase 4 character who’s become the unlikely owner of a priceless MCU artifact. Ms. Marvel’s premiere episode saw Iman Vellani’s Kamala Khan acquire a bangle of unknown origin. Believed to the MCU’s interpretation of Quasar’s Quantum Bands from Marvel Comics, the highly sought-after bangle has made Kamala the target of a group of Djinn looking to return to their home dimension. By officially introducing the Djinn to the MCU in Ms. Marvel episode 3, the series helped provide at least some insight into the bangle. As many suspected, it’s one of a pair. It hasn’t been proven yet if the Djinn created them, but it is known now that they’re the ones who brought them to Earth.
The scene where the Djinn found Ms. Marvel's bangle referenced Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. A quick view from above confirmed that the image of the Mandarin’s Ten Rings was carved onto the floor of the temple in India where the bangle was located. The idea that the Ten Rings are connected in some way with the Djinn creates a major link between Ms. Marvel’s contribution to the MCU mythos and existing MCU lore. It also adds a bit of history to the most mysterious element of Shang-Chi’s story. One thing the movie never really explained is where the Ten Rings actually come from.
The MCU’s Ten Rings are in need of a proper backstory, and Ms. Marvel episode 3’s Easter egg serves as a step toward that ahead of Shang-Chi 2. The Ten Rings were the driving force of the first movie’s story, yet they were also the focus of Shang-Chi’s biggest unanswered question. That’s unlikely to be the case for the sequel, though. As the first movie’s post-credits scene revealed, the Ten Rings are sending out a beacon to an unknown party who could soon be on their way to Earth-616. It made sense that these characters would be the Makluans, since these dragon-like creatures are the ones who made them in the comics, but nothing about their origin is certain.
Regardless of whether or not it was the Makluans or the Djinn who made the Ten Rings in the MCU, Ms. Marvel’s Shang-Chi reference is indicative of a major connection between the two character’s respective corners of the MCU. By exploring this in Shang-Chi 2 or perhaps in episodes of Kamala Khan’s Disney+ show, Marvel has an opportunity to further flesh out two of Phase 4’s new additions to MCU lore. It can also connect their histories and origins in a meaningful way that could become relevant later on, especially if a crossover ever happens.
Ms. Marvel releases new episodes on Wednesdays on Disney+.
