Before you see Shang-Chi, you may want to watch or rewatch these Marvel projects. 

For the most part in this exciting chapter in the next phase of the MCU, Shang-Chi tells it’s own standalone origin story. However, throughout the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s history there are pieces you could revisit which would make your viewing experience probably much better and catch you up too speed as Marvel and Disney + are giving you a refresher on all things Ten Rings. 

The terrorist organisation has been part of the MCU since the very beginning, when Tony Stark got kidnapped by them in Afghanistan in 2008’s Iron Man. The Ten Rings then resurfaced in 2013’s Iron Man 3 , when their mysterious and shadowy leader The Mandarin( Sir Ben Kingsley) was revealed to be a cover for Aldrich Killian played by Guy Pearce. The Mandarin was actually a washed up actor by the name of Trevor Slattery, who was bribed with drugs and money to play the part.

Newley added conveniently onto Disney + is  2014’s Marvel’s One Shot titled All Hail the King, which was originally released on the Thor: The Dark World Blu-ray. It follows Trevor who is now in prison for posing as The Mandarin and is dealing with prisoners who worship him and hate him, especially the Ten Rings who have hunted him down and want Slattery out of prison because the actual Mandrin wants to meet him and reclaim his name back, I certainly hope we get this meeting in Shang-Chi. 

This One-Shot is a hilarious obscene epilogue to Iron Man 3 where Trevor has been enjoying the notoriety and is now being interviewed by a documentary filmmaker named Jackson Norris. He’s discussing with Trevor the possibilities of The Ten Rings being angry with him for impersonating their leader. This is new to him and of course paranoia ensues.

Ben Kingsley has some quick witted dialogue from writer/director Drew Pearce. Slattery is both delusional and oblivious which definitely brought some entertaining results. It works so well with a dark comedic tone whilst having a 1970’s aesthetic feel attached to it. It serves to tie up lose ends from the Iron Man trilogy and seemingly sets up more things to come aka Shang-Chi. 

Scoot McNairy was also fun to watch as he grows in frustration to Trevor’s utter ignorance to all his surroundings. There’s also some twists and a really fun cameo in the mid-credits sequence, a character whom we haven’t seen in quite a while. 

Overall this 14 minute short film which was initially released as a bonus on the Blu-ray for Thor: The Dark World has now major ramifications and significance within the Marvel Cinematic Universe now that the Ten Rings organisation have taking centre stage. 

All Hail the King is now streaming on Disney+. And finally on September 1st Marvel Studios Legends will release a new recap episode focusing on The Ten Rings.