Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings’ post-credits scene is made more perplexing by Ms. Marvel episode 6’s post-credits scene. The MCU is now synonymous with post-credits scenes. Not because Marvel was the first studio to employ them, but rather because they have evolved into a defining aspect of the series. Marvel’s fondness of post-credits scenes, according to Marvel Studios CEO Kevin Feige, is a result of his own passion for movies. Whether it was Ferris Bueller or Masters of the Universe, he said, “I always appreciated that sort of thing.” I never wanted it to end since I’m a movie nerd.
The MCU’s post-credits scenes frequently feature shock casting (Brett Goldstein as Hercules, Charlize Theron as Clea, or Harry Styles as Starfox), or direct setup (the discovery of Thor’s hammer in Iron Man 2, or Shang-sister Chi’s taking control of the Ten Rings), which explains why they frequently feature these elements. Sadly, the post-credits scenes in the MCU don’t always work, largely because the studio changes course much more frequently than most viewers are aware. Only one of the post-credits scenes in Phase 1 made sense in retrospect.
Simply because they depict different versions of Captain Marvel, the post-credits scenes for Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings and Ms. Marvel episode 6 appear to conflict. Captain Marvel takes part in a holographic conference to talk about the mystical treasures Shang-Chi now wields in the post-credits sequence of Shang-Chi. Although she has a fresh hairstyle, she is still sporting her Avengers: Endgame outfit. She then makes an appearance in the Ms. Marvel post-credits scene, where Kamala Khan’s enigmatic bangle initiates an odd body-swap scenario. Though Captain Marvel is wearing a completely different outfit, the similarity in hairstyle suggests that the two events take place at roughly the same period.
Why Captain Marvel’s Costume Is So Different In Ms. Marvel
It’s entirely likely that Captain Marvel doesn’t think changing into a new costume is a big issue because she uses a Kree gadget to transform her outfit with the push of a button. Marvel likes to give their characters new costumes for each movie, and the new outfit was likely not ready when the studio got around to Shang-post-credits Chi’s scene, so they decided to stick with a previously-established one instead. From an outside-of-universe perspective, this is probably a simple explanation. Shang-post-credits Chi’s scene is believed to have been filmed in the early months of 2021, however The Marvels’ filming didn’t begin until May of that same year. Although the exact timing of Ms. Marvel’s post-credits sequence is unknown, it is possible that it was filmed at the same time as The Marvels considering that retakes and additional shooting were taken in 2022.
The irony of Marvel’s post-credits scenes is that while viewers rightfully obsess over the smallest details, they can actually be influenced by extra-universal forces just as much as Marvel’s ambition for a grand narrative. Although The Marvels may use Captain Marvel’s outfit change as a plot device, it’s entirely plausible that Marvel deliberately let the contradiction to exist since they felt it didn’t actually matter that much. As previously mentioned, a closer look reveals that the MCU’s post-credits scenes frequently contain logical holes and continuity issues. Marvel even created an entire one-shot, The Consultant, to fix the post-credits scene in The Incredible Hulk, so it’s not surprising that the problems persist in Phase 4 with Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings and Ms. Marvel.
Why Shang-Chi’s Post-Credits Scene Was So Confusing
The post-credits scene in Shang-Chi has never made much sense. On the one hand, the scenario can’t be staged too long after Thanos’ demise because Bruce Banner’s arm is still in a sling in Avengers: Endgame. On the other hand, it must be some time later because Captain Marvel’s hair has had time to grow out. Given that the Chinese festival of Qingling plays a significant role in Shang-plot Chi’s and places the movie in early April 2024, the latter explanation is probably the most correct. However, it makes Banner’s sling seem quite strange. Now that Carol Danvers has the same haircut, Ms. Marvel is quite clearly set in the fall of 2025. (set decorations are dated for 2025, Kamala has just begun her junior year, and her school appears to be beginning preparations for a homecoming dance). In the timeline of the MCU, Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel are actually separated by more than a year. Carol Danvers probably loved the haircut she received in April 2024 because she had the same style done in the fall of 2025.
