Shang-Chi Totally Changes Wong Ahead Of Doctor Strange 2

Shang-Chi takes Wong in a new direction, possibly gearing him up for a bigger role in Phase 4 ahead of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings marks Wong’s fourth MCU appearance and raises more questions about Wong’s future in Phase 4 — namely in relation to Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness — than it answers. Put simply, Wong could be about to get a serious upgrade in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Played by actor Benedict Wong, whose shared name with the character is just a happy coincidence, Wong is a fan-favorite character known for his no-nonsense quips and his expertise in the mystic arts. The last time Wong appeared on screen was in Avengers: Endgame, seen leading an army of sorcerers alongside the rest of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in the final battle against Thanos.

Before his cameos in Shang-Chi, Wong took a back seat to Doctor Strange, despite his knowledge and ability as a sorcerer who had been involved in the mystic arts long before Stephen Strange ever made his way to Kamar-Taj. Within the MCU, Doctor Strange is often referred to as a Master of the Mystic Arts, but he hasn’t been called the Sorcerer Supreme in the movies. That title has been vacant since the Ancient One’s death in the first Doctor Strange movie. Even in prior appearances, with Wong as a supporting character to Stephen Strange, it was clear that Wong knew more about the mystic arts than Strange, and he was far more cautious about how and when magic is used. While it’s likely that audiences will have to wait for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness to get any confirmation about who bears the Sorcerer Supreme title, Shang-Chi took Wong in a direction that completely smashes the idea of him being anyone’s sidekick.

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Wong could be taking more of a leadership role in Phase 4, and could even possibly be acting as the current Sorcerer Supreme. Though no replacement for the Ancient One has been confirmed in the MCU, Wong is the de-facto leader of the sorcerers and seems to be working out of Kamar-Taj instead of with Strange in the New York Sanctum. He is also working with the Avengers, speaking with Captain Marvel and Bruce Banner on a hologram conference call in the mid-credits scene. Similarly, sporting a new look in a brief appearance in the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer, he appeared to still be a higher ranking sorcerer than Doctor Strange.

With Wong leading the investigation into the source of Shang-Chi’s ten rings and Strange nowhere to be seen, it wouldn’t be a stretch to believe that Wong could be the current Sorcerer Supreme. In the mid-credits scene, he brought Shang-Chi and Katy through a portal to Kamar-Taj, both to examine the rings and to welcome Shang-Chi to the Avengers. Working out of Kamar-Taj, the home base of the Ancient One and the realm of the sorcerers, could be an indicator that Wong was chosen as her successor. Though Strange’s destiny is to lead, he might not be at that point in his journey, similar to how Wanda Maximoff didn’t become the Scarlet Witch until the WandaVision finale.

In the Spider-Man: No Way Home trailer, Wong sports a new look, and also speaks to Strange with authority, telling him not to attempt a spell that could break the current reality of the MCU. Wong, as the Sorcerer Supreme, would be more concerned with preserving their reality and would understand the danger of the spell more than Strange, who treats it like a challenge. The more relaxed clothes could just be a reaction to the event that caused the New York Sanctum to become filled with snow. However, his battle scene against Abomination in Shang-Chi also showed a more laid-back Wong, fighting for fun against an apparent friend.

Wong has come a long way from the libraries of Kamar-Taj. His quick appearances in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings gave audiences the chance to see him at his best, both as a sorcerer and a leader. With the coming multiversal threats in Phase 4, Wong could be gearing up for a much more important role in Phase 4.

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