When legends talk we should all listen, I know I do. So when Marvel comic legend Stan Lee talks, I'm all ears. Every character he ever said would eventually make it to live action has come to be. About four or five years ago I remember hearing Stan the Man say he would have loved to see Bruce Lee in a Marvel Studio movie. With all the special effects and technology, that would have been pretty amazing! The funny part is I always felt the same way, and I'm a big Bruce Lee fan. That would be incredible, seeing him kick people through the walls and doing high flying kicks in the air and those fist of fury GEEZ don't even get me started! Now I know with Marvel recently unveiling the new trailer for Iron Fist and releasing his 2017 release date for his Netflix series takes me back to last years controversy with the casting decision to stay with a white actor playing Danny Rand (Iron Fist) after a Marvel Studio rep leaked some information that the studio was considering an Asian actor to play the part. Especially since Danny Rand A.K.A.. Iron Fist is taught the secrets of the Orient by Asian Holy Monks which makes him the greatest martial artist in the world. Add that to Marvel beating the drum for diversity, and with already so many white and now black superheroes... I said well hell this could actually happen! Instead the studio decided to go with 'Game of Thrones' actor Finn Jones which I believe is an excellent pick for Danny Rand! Besides there is another martial artist that has had my eye the whole time...Shang-Chi!
Rumors started to swirl right after Marvel announced that they were going to go with Finn Jones, that Shang-Chi, an Asian character would appear in Iron Fist and would one day get a spinoff show like the Punisher did from the Daredevil series, or even Luke Cage did from the Jessica Jones series. I was truly thrilled until Marvel put that rumor to rest! They completely denied it, but there is an old saying...where there is smoke there is fire, and I know for a fact... well hell we all know that they like to be secretive with that kind of information...to keep your eyes glued to the screen! I have a gut feeling while watching Iron Fist that Shang-Chi will have some kind of role in the Netflix series. Which takes me back to Stan Lee wanting to see Bruce Lee on the big screen!
There are several reasons that Iron Fist won't give me that feeling! Sure the choreographed fight scenes will be EPIC, but the blonde hair, yellow mask and green costume just doesn't give me that Bruce Lee feel you know. No disrespect I love Iron Fist and I can't wait to see the show! I just know that Shang-Chi was made after Bruce Lee's likeness...hell he is Bruce Lee in the comics! This would be huge and open up a whole new audience for Marvel Comics to tap into with this whole martial arts, diversified international Kung-Fu thing, which would be great! Marvel Studios has a way of grabbing talent before they really reach stardom like Chris Hemsworth, Chris Pratt, and Chris Evans (damn that's a lot of Chris's) and mixing those guys with bigger known talent like, Samuel L. Jackson and Robert Downy Jr. I have the perfect guy at the perfect time to play Marvel's Masters of Kung-Fu, Shang-Chi.
Chinese actor Ludi Lin who stars in the New Power Rangers movie as the Black Ranger. This fresh face kid is headed for stardom! He's a martial artist, model and actor who has a ton of charisma that Marvel can build on by introducing a character like Shang-Chi to the world and allowing him to become big enough to for a solo project. I even went as far as making a teaser trailer of what it could possible look like! Wow this would be awesome! After all Shang-Chi is a great character, one of my favorites with his own exciting storyline as he battles his own dangerous villains. What do you guys think? Don't forget to leave a comment, like the video and article...please feel free to share with your friends and let's have a conversation, and as always thank you for your time! God Bless you and Peace -Gab!