The MCU’s Abomination Redesign Connects Back To The Avengers
Here's why Abomination's revamped appearance in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is an indirect consequence of The Avengers. Emil Blonsky's surprise cameo at the Macau fighting tournament in Shang-Chi sets up a future return for the Hulk villain after more than a decade of absence in the MCU. Abomination's respectful rivalry with Wong suggests he has left his evil ways in the past, or at least implies that he's collaborating with the sorcerer to enjoy a bit of freedom after being imprisoned after the events of The Incredible Hulk.
Not only does Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings lay the foundation for Abomination's future, but also demonstrates how much he has changed off-screen in the past decade. In The Incredible Hulk, Emil Blonsky mutated into a horrifying monster after being injected with an unrefined version of the MCU's Super Soldier Serum and some of Hulk's blood. With his grotesque appearance came along an immense amount of strength and aggression. But now that Abomination seems to have completed his transformation with a more developed physiology, a new skin texture, and his comic book-accurate finned ears, he also seems to have become less hostile.
Soon after Hulk's fight with Abomination in The Incredible Hulk, the World Security Council wanted Abomination to join the Avengers instead of Hulk. Thankfully, Tony Stark intervened and managed to get Bruce Banner and himself a spot on the team instead. Then, Banner and his alter ego went through a drastic visual change when Mark Ruffalo replaced Edward Norton, and ever since The Avengers, Ruffalo's Hulk has possessed his likeness. This gave Shang-Chi the opportunity to update Abomination's appearance, as it would feel off to see The Incredible Hulk's Abomination facing off against Mark Ruffalo's Hulk in a future title.
Although Marvel Studios chose not to retcon or ignore The Incredible Hulk, the movies have slightly distanced themselves from it. However, Hulk remains a big player in the MCU, and given the mixed reception of his only standalone movie, its shared status with Universal, and Edward Norton's departure from the main role, it makes more sense for Marvel to craft a more unique identity for the Jade Giant and other related characters. So if The Leader, Doc Samson, and Betty Ross return in the future, it wouldn't be odd to see them come back with a change in appearance or characterization, similar to what was done to Bruce Banner, Hulk, and Abomination.
CGI technology having greatly improved since 2008 could also very well be a factor. The Avengers' Hulk has often been praised for being extremely faithful to the comic book character, but given that he has only appeared in team-up movies, he has been subjected to an accelerated evolution that doesn't allow viewers to get accustomed to any of his changes in appearance and personality before the next one arrives. As Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings shows that Bruce Banner has returned to his human form, it's up to She-Hulk to take its time to focus on Hulk, She-Hulk, and Abomination.