Shang-Chi VFX Interview: Sean Walker
Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings has earned an Oscar nomination for its visual effects. Every Marvel movie features spectacular visual effects, and Shang-Chi was no exception. Featuring actors like Simu Liu and Tony Leung, the film started off with more grounded action before heading to the enchanted world of Ta-Lo.
A deep cut in Marvel Comics lore, the mystical world of Ta-Lo is traditionally viewed as a pocket dimension — one aligned with Chinese folklore, home to countless mythical creatures such as the qilin. In Shang-Chi, the near-immortal Wenwu believed Ta-Lo to be holding the secret to resurrecting his wife; in reality he'd been tricked into releasing a creature called the Dweller-In-Darkness. This led to a battle like nothing seen in the MCU to date, as the Dweller-In-Darkness battled against a powerful water dragon, with the help of Shang-Chi, his sister Xialing, and a well-timed arrow from Shang-Chi's friend Katy.
Related: Every MCU Easter Egg In Shang-Chi And The Legend Of The Ten Rings
Many of the effects in the third act were created by WETA FX, and Screen Rant had an opportunity to speak to their VFX Supervisor Sean Walker after the Oscars. He discussed the Dweller-In-Darkness itself, the Great Protector, and some of the remarkable energy effects in Shang-Chi & the Legend of the Ten Rings.
Screen Rant: So first of all, congratulations on the nomination. Much deserved! How did you guys celebrate?
Sean Walker: For us in New Zealand, the Oscar nominations were announced at 2.30 in the morning, so I tried to go to bed — couldn't quite get to sleep that night, then decided to stay up until 2.30, watch the nominations, and then was so amped after the announcement that I didn't even go back to sleep. First
Read more on screenrant.com
