An Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania theory suggests that Kang might be connected to Ms. Marvel’s bangles as well as Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings.
The recent trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania could confirm a theory that Kang and his technology in the Quantum Realm are connected with Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel. The third Ant-Man film will launch Phase 5 of the MCU and finally introduce audiences to the wonder that is Jonathan Majors as Kang the Conqueror. He first joined the MCU in Loki as one of Kang’s variants, He Who Remains, and his death at the hands of Sylvie ushered in a new saga for the franchise, causing the Sacred Timeline to split into the vastly dangerous Multiverse.
Intriguingly, while he is the presumptive big bad of the Multiverse Saga, Kang finds himself stuck in the Quantum Realm in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He needs Scott Lang’s help to escape, tasking him with acquiring something special, according to the final Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer. It’s strange that someone as powerful and intelligent as Kang, with all the incredible technology he has on display, could be in such a predicament. What’s even stranger is that said technology shares intriguing characteristics with items that debuted in Phase 4. Such possible connections are unexpected, setting the stage for exciting reveals and potential crossovers.
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Shang-Chi’s Ten Rings Could Be Connected To Kang In The MCU
A theory suggests that the Ten Rings introduced in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings are connected to Kang. Their MCU origins are still a well-kept secret, so there’s potential for this theory to be true. Overall, the legendary Ten Rings are quite different from their comics counterparts. They enhance Shang-Chi’s natural talent as the MCU’s best martial artist, and despite being ten separate items, they act as one, each ring linked and working in tandem with the next. Conversely, in the comics, the Ten Rings are distinct, each granting the user an individual power. Such an adaptation suggests that their origins could be different too.
These changes were purposeful, and in the grand scheme of the Multiverse Saga, this naturally suggests one character’s involvement: Kang. The next best option to explore such a connection would have to be Shang-Chi 2. The sequel was greenlit shortly following Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings’ release, and while there’s no official release date yet, presumably, it is one of the currently missing Phase 6 movies. Hopefully, it can be placed before Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, so there’s ample opportunity to really examine where the rings came from, how, and potentially why, rather than saddling it into a major crossover movie jam-packed with other heroes.
Why Ms. Marvel Could Also Have A Kang Connection
Ms. Marvel is equally linked in theories with Kang as his tech seems intriguingly similar to Kamala’s bangle. Interestingly, when it was revealed that a special bangle would grant Kamala her new powers, theories arose that it could be a Nega-Band. They hail from the Kree Empire and have a storied past with Mar-Vell, the first Captain Marvel. As such, there could be a connection there, especially thanks to Ms. Marvel’s post-credits stinger that The Marvels will resolve. Presumably, the bangle is responsible for Kamala and Carol Danvers switching places. Its mysterious origins and perplexing abilities confirm that there’s much more to it than meets the eye.
Kamala and Kang have an interesting history in the comics together. In fact, there exists a variant called Kamala Kang, an amalgam of the two from the 2018 Infinity War series. While the MCU likely won’t go down that path of literally merging characters, using the bangle to link these two together is a clever nod to their established connections. Importantly, the bangle thus far has acted as a key, unlocking Kamala’s dormant powers and revealing her to be a mutant in the MCU rather than an Inhuman. Perhaps the bangle and/or similar technology from Kang will open the door for other mutants and, eventually, the X-Men.
Ant-Man 3 Trailer Supports The Kang & Ten Rings Connection Theory
The theory that Kang could be responsible for the Ten Rings initially popped up and gained steam when the first trailer for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania dropped. It derives from how much Kang’s technology resembles the rings. While their purpose is still unknown, it looks like the time-traveling supervillain is using supersized versions of the Ten Rings in the Quantum Realm. This could mean that as the MCU trudges along to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and he joins up with his fellow heroes to stop him, Shang-Chi could lose the Ten Rings to Kang should they serve a purpose in his grand scheme.
Another indicator of the validity of this theory is that Destin Daniel Cretton, director of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, is returning to direct Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. That certainly signals that Cretton wants to continue the story he started. Aptly, the film’s post-credits stinger revealed that the rings are acting as a beacon, but to where remains a mystery. Initially, theories suggested the Makluans as they created the rings in the comics, or perhaps the Celestials following Eternals. However, it really could be Kang in the Quantum Realm. If so, Shang-Chi is the key to the Multiverse Saga, and he could be pivotal to Kang’s defeat.
How The Ten Rings & Kamala’s Bangle Could Come From Kang’s World
If there was only one special item with a theorized connection to Kang, that would be one thing. Yet, there are two thus far in the MCU, and that can’t be a coincidence. Evidence suggests they are linked in some way. In dissecting the bangle, two parts greatly resemble one of Shang-Chi’s rings. Plus, there’s the fact that the rings were changed into bands for the MCU, possibly suggesting they serve an alternate purpose that’s yet to be revealed. Furthermore, Ms. Marvel episode 3, “Destined,” revealed the bangle’s discovery at a site marked with the symbol of the Ten Rings. Their connections and similarity to Kang’s technology seemingly guarantee this theory is true.
They could hail from Kang, whether from the Quantum Realm or the future before he got stuck there. Perhaps they were early inventions of Kang, created as tools for his conquest. Given each’s established connection to other dimensions – Ta-Lo for the rings and the Noor for the bangle – perhaps their purpose is to help Kang travel through time and/or cross the Multiverse. Ant-Man could be stealing something similar for Kang in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The evidence seems irrefutable, suggesting that both Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel will play pivotal roles as the Multiverse Saga continues to unfold.
