Shang-Chi and the Fall of the Defenders (Marvelette film)

Shang-Chi and the Fall of the Defenders is a Phase Six Marvelette Cinematic Universe film. It was released on September 25th, 2026, following Fantastic Four: Annihilation and preceding Blade vs the Ghost Rider. The film is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton.

Cast

 * Simu Liu as Shang-Chi
 * Charlie Cox as Matt Murdock / Daredevil
 * Krysten Ritter as Jessica Jones
 * Mike Colter as Luke Cage
 * Finn Jones as Danny Rand / Iron Fist
 * Jon Bernthal as Frank Castle / Punisher
 * Elodie Yung as Elektra Natchios
 * Vincent D'Onofrio as Wilson Fisk / Kingpin
 * Maggie Smith as Morgan le Fay (First Appearance) (Death)
 * Eva Green as Ophelia Sarkissian / Madame Viper (First Appearance)
 * Elden Henson as Franklin "Foggy" Nelson (Death)
 * Wilson Bethel as Benjamin Pointdexter / Bullseye
 * Daniel Bruhl as Helmut Zemo
 * Wai Ching Ho as Madame Gao (Death)
 * Deborah Ann Woll as Karen Page
 * Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple / Night Nurse
 * Rachel McAdams as Christine Palmer / Night Nurse
 * Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Stephen Strange (Cameo)
 * Jensen Ackles as Johnny Blaze / Ghost Rider (Cameo)

Crew

 * Destin Daniel Cretton: Director
 * Kid Marvelette: Executive Producer
 * Kevin Feige: Executive Producer
 * Drew Goddard: Writer
 * Victoria Alonso: Producer
 * Louis D'Esposito: Producer
 * Trinh Tran: Producer
 * Hans Zimmer: Composer

Plot
When the former Hand assassin Elektra resurfaces working for the elusive sorceress Morgan le Fay, Shang-Chi takes it upon himself to recruit the Defenders in order to save the world before she ever has the chance to put it in danger!

Trivia

 * This film features the return of the Marvel Netflix characters for the first time since the cancellation of their series.
 * Although Jon Bernthal's Punisher was not in the Defenders series, he appears in this film and is even the one to land the killing blow on Morgan le Fay.
 * Christine Palmer appears for the first time out of the Doctor Strange franchise alongside Claire Temple, both taking the mantle of the Night Nurse.
 * Doctor Strange makes a cameo in a mid-credits scene going over the chaos caused by Morgan le Fay before he is interrupted by the Ghost Rider appearing, saying they "have a problem with the vampires".
 * Morgan le Fay is portrayed by Maggie Smith, a veteran magic actress known for portraying Professor Minerva McGonagall in the Harry Potter franchise.
 * Madame Viper makes her first actual appearance in this film after the usage of the name Ophelia and Madame Hydra was used by the LMD Aida in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
 * Destin Daniel Cretton returns to direct after previously directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. He takes over the Netflix characters, while the script is written by Drew Goddard, who worked a lot on Daredevil.