In the Marvel Universe, one of the most contentious topics has been the white savior trope. It stood out when Marvel Television adapted Iron Fist for Netflix, which brought to light how tone-deaf the concept of Danny Rand using an Asian, mystically-influenced journey to become a guardian was. It left fans wondering how decades of cultural insensitivity and a lack of authenticity for marginalized characters could be fixed. Well, with the books now poised to have an Asian Iron Fist, introducing this version of the character to the Marvel Cinematic Universe could solve a major problem, and it already fits into Shang-Chi's world.
Now, from the "Iron Fist No More" promo image, as well as the epic cover with the new Iron Fist, fans are speculating this is actually Sword Master/Lin Lie. The demons haunting Danny as he exits the alley, the fact that there are shards of a green sword (thought to be Lin's Sword of Fu Xi) and the overall design aesthetic of the new Iron Fist also perfectly matches Sword Master's look, compounding speculation.
In addition, since the homage to that iconic "Spider-Man No More" cover was done by Sword Master artist, Gunji, it feels like Lin is indeed taking on the mantle. It makes sense because Lin is a young Chinese man and an ideal candidate to explore the world of monsters and dragons. Plus, Gork now seems poised to replace Shou Lao as the Undying Dragon in what's essentially a massive reboot. As such, adapting this version could allow the MCU to sidestep Danny's Iron Fist story. After all, it'd be repetitive to see that ground covered again on the big screen, especially seeing as Finn Jones' depiction wasn't all that epic. And to top it off, Lin's new journey matches what the MCU has done so far, wanting to elevate characters of color and minorities, all while having them fit into the larger narrative.
Lin's comic story has already had him training with Shang-Chi, being a protege of sorts, after Lin found the sword and was thrust into a destiny where he had to fight invading demons. He even has daddy issues, as he searched for his father and struggled with whether he'd become a weapon for good or evil. Thus, there are many comparisons to Shang-Chi as a master of kung-fu and how Simu Liu's character ended up breaking the cycle by using the Ten Rings for good. The MCU movies can now have Shang-Chi seeking out others like himself, moving across dimensions like Ta Lo and other cities, which can now be rebranded as the Immortal Cities.
With Lin as an Immortal Weapon, he and Shang-Chi can then walk the same path as protectors and eventual partners. What's also comparable is Lin's sword is a weapon meant to traverse various dimensions and destroy worlds. It's akin to the Ten Rings, which were sending out a beacon in Shang-Chi's mid-credits scene. So, whether a destroyer like Fin Fang Foom comes, or Lin is a mix of Sword Master and Iron Fist, Shang-Chi's story has already opened the door to introduce an Iron Fist from another City of Heaven. It adds that Chinese flair, which already worked for Shang-Chi, producing a great rivalry-turned-brotherhood with two martial artists, who are badass with or without their weapons.
What's also worth noting is Lin's bond with his sword leaves room for a major cosmic connection. Knull, after all, did want Lin's sword for himself, so this paves the way for the Symbiote god to target these heroes, matching how the MCU loves bringing galactic threats to Earth, or now, roaming through the multiverse. The fact that new writer, Alyssa Wong, is retweeting images of Shang-Chi alongside this new Iron Fist adds fuel to this theory and ultimately, it's something that's most welcomed as it increases representation organically and naturally fits Chinese lore together at a time when the MCU is pushing equality and a kaleidoscopic vision of its superheroes per Eternals.
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