Stories from the set

Simu Liu, the actor playing Shang-Chi, already knew Korean and Chinese martial arts, and for the filming Destin Daniel Cretton additionally studied tai chi, wushu, Muay Thai, silat, Krav Maga, jiu-jitsu, boxing and hand-to-hand combat.

Stan Lee (1922-2018) in the late 1980s considered creating a film or TV series about Shang-Chi and casting Brandon Lee (1965-1993), son of Bruce Lee (1940-1973), in the lead role. Shang-Chi himself was modeled after Bruce Lee, so the idea of casting Brandon seemed quite logical, but the idea never went beyond that.

Tony Leung Chiu-wai specially trained for the role of the Mandarin, even though director Cretton warned that it was unnecessary, as computer technology would be actively used in the making of the film.

In the comics and in various animated projects, the Mandarin wears ten rings on his fingers. In this film, the rings are worn on the arms (five on each). Such rings are traditionally used in martial arts to strengthen the arms or hands. This departure from canon was needed to bring an element of Chinese culture into the film, and because similar adornments had already been used in the case of the Infinity Stones and the Infinity Gauntlet.

For the role of Katy, Awkwafina learned to drift (using controlled skidding while driving a car) and to shoot a bow and arrow.

The first Marvel Studios film about a superhero of Asian descent.

Simu Liu gained 4.5 kg of muscle for the role of Shang-Chi in this film.

The character Xu Xialing in the film is a combination of several comic book characters, and she was particularly inspired by the character Zheng Baoyu.

For the role of Xu Xialing in this film, Zhang Meng'er trained in mixed martial arts, tai chi, and rope dart.

To prepare for the role of Yin Li in this film, actress Chen Fala studied the techniques of Tai Chi Chuan.