Marvel radically redesigned the titular Ten Rings for Shang-Chi, but they originally looked a lot more like they do in the comic books.
When it came time to adapt Shang-Chi to the big screen, Marvel Studios wanted to avoid a lot of the problematic aspects of the hero's past. But with a less cemented backstory and cast of supporting characters, there was also the opportunity to create brand-new mythology. For the powerful Ten Rings, Marvel chose to pull some elements from the page but ultimately make a whole new set of weapons. In the early stages of production, however, the artifacts skewed a bit closer to the source material.
"The Ten Rings actually went through a range of color changes," Weta Digital VFX head Sean Walker told ComicBook.com. "At one point, each individual effect had its individual styled use of the Rings. For example, when Wenwu is creating a bustle out of them, or a whip, or projectiles, they actually had their own unique color scheme, they were all in a similar color palette."
In the comics, the Mandarin wields the Ten Rings in his fights primarily against Iron Man -- hence the name of the group that takes Tony Stark hostage in his first MCU film. These rings are worn on the fingers and each one has a unique shape and color. Each also has a specific power, like fire projection, darkness control, and matter rearranging. And the rings are also alien in origin. Though the MCU hasn't yet specified where the rings are from (though the Shang-Chi post-credits scene teases something mysterious), the look, colors, and abilities were all changed.
"In order to really clearly define this is Wenwu and this is Shang-Chi, we stuck to a much narrower color palette," Walker continued. "So Shang-Chi's colors actually mimic his mum's color palette, so we looked to her for her greens and for yellows and greens. Especially in the initial fight between his parents."
The final colors in the film reflect the ownership of the rings, glowing blue when Wenwu is in control and an orangish-yellow when Shang-Chi has them. They, of course, were also made to resemble armbands similar to iron rings used in martial arts training. And finally, the abilities the rings possess were changed. Though they aren't clearly defined, Wenwu and Shang-Chi are able to use them concussively, to generate energy, and to ensnare things.
While some fans likely wanted to see the comic book Ten Rings brought to life, it's clear Marvel was worried they'd be too similar to the Infinity Stones that Thanos uses. In the end, a whole new powerful set of weapons were introduced to the MCU -- and it's clear there's more to their story.
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is now playing in theaters.
Source: ComicBook.com
0 Comments