While the events of MCU Phase 5 are yet unknown, one possibility is that Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) could lose the Ten Rings thanks to Marvel’s next critical villain, Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors). Superheroes losing their symbols of power is not an uncommon story beat for the MCU—sometimes, this can be a critical part of a character’s growth, such as the several times Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has lost Mjolnir. But in other stories, the loss of a critical item to a villain can be much more devastating, as in the cases of Dr. Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Vision (Paul Bettany) losing their infinity stones to Thanos (Josh Brolin).
The possibility that Shang-Chi could lose his familial artifacts in Phase 5 is related to the post-credits scene in Ant-Man movies, it seems likely that the beacon from the Ten Rings could be summoning the villain to Shang-Chi, further suggesting that he will lose the artifacts to Kang.
The Ten Rings & Ms. Marvel's Bracelet Could Be Linked
However, this theory is somewhat dependent on Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings and Kamala’s bangle being of similar origin in Phase 5. This does seem increasingly likely given that Kamala’s great-grandmother dug the bangle out of an abandoned Ten Rings hideout, and that both the bracelet and the Ten Rings have otherworldly origins. Knowing this, the Ten Rings may be linked to the Noor Dimension as Kamala’s bangle is, and further suggests that in the next Avengers movie, a Kang variant could be on the hunt for both artifacts, with each potentially enhancing the abilities of the other.
Shang-Chi Doesn't REALLY Need The Ten Rings
If Kang were to rob Shang-Chi of the Ten Rings in Phase 5, it would undoubtedly be a blow to the heroes working to oppose him, given the power of the artifacts. However, while their loss would personally affect Shang-Chi, it would not be debilitating. After all, despite the pain and personal journey of acquiring the Rings, Shang-Chi doesn’t need them to be effective: He was highly skilled and a worthy adversary before he won the Rings from his father, and many other of the Avengers have been strong additions to the team without powers or mystical objects. Additionally, he has the potential to unlock his mother’s abilities if he cannot rely on the Ten Rings, which beat Shang-Chi's father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung) while he was armed with them anyway. This provides an even better reason for him to lose the artifacts to Kang, as doing so would provide character development for Shang-Chi while ing a common theme in the MCU that what makes a hero isn’t their powers or tools, but their actions.
The MCU has been building toward Phases 5 and 6 for a long time, both by introducing the next generation of heroes and leading up to a larger villain to oppose them. To test the mettle of heroes such as Shang-Chi, it’s only fair to expect some deeply personal losses, such as Kang obtaining the Ten Rings. Doing so would depict how Kang is an antagonist on the level of Thanos in MCU Phase 5 while also providing Shang-Chi the chance to shine in the face of adversity.
