The forthcoming American superhero film Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever is based on the Marvel Comics character Black Panther. It is the sequel to Black Panther (2018) and the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, produced by Marvel Studios and released by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (MCU). The film stars Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, and Dominique Thorne, and is directed by Ryan Coogler, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole.
The death of Chadwick Boseman laces the movie with a tinge of tragedy and despair among fans. Yet, the film is predicted to be a hit- and possibly carry forward Boseman’s legacy.
It is part of phase four of the MCU, much like Moon Knight and Black Widow. Here’s everything you need to know about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
About Black Panther 2
Marvel is, unsurprisingly, secretive as ever, and has released little, if not null information about the plot.
Coogler, just like the rest of us, had no idea of Boseman’s battle with cancer. He recently made the statement “I spent the last year preparing, imagining and writing words for him to say, that we weren’t destined to see,” implying that the original script was meant for the star re-entering to play T’Challa. “It leaves me broken knowing that I won’t be able to watch another close-up of him in the monitor again or walk up to him and ask for another take,” he said.
So, what does that translate into for Wakanda Forever?
“So much of the comics and that first movie is the world of Wakanda,” says Feige. “Wakanda is a place to further explore with characters and different subcultures. This was always and initially the primary focus of the next story. Ryan Coogler is working very hard right now on the script with all the respect and love and genius that he has, which gives us great solace, so it was always about furthering the mythology and the inspiration of Wakanda. There’s also the task of honoring and respecting the ongoing learnings and teachings from Chad as well.”
Wakanda Forever will not feature T’Challa, and the thought is unbearably heart wrenching. Instead, the character’s absence will be addressed and excused in some way that is unknown as of now. All we currently have are whispers in the air, and they go from “Black Panther 2 will introduce his successor” to “T’Challa’s sister will inherit the Black Panther pedestal,” and it does seem quite possible, considering it has already happened in the comics.
Black Panther 2 Release
It was earlier scheduled to release in May 2022, but a fresh covid wave drowned those plans. The date was then changed to July 2022, and has yet again moved to November 11, 2022.
Unfortunately, chances are that the date will move again, because Letitia Wright sustained an injury on set a while back.
Feige, Nate Moore, and Louis D’Esposito said “What we had initially thought were minor injuries turned out to be much more serious, with Letitia suffering a critical shoulder fracture, and a concussion with severe side effects. It has been a painful process and Letitia has been home recovering with her doctors and the support of family,” so there’s that.
Shuri’s absence has halted the production. Hopefully everything will work out soon enough and there will not be a further delay.
Black Panther 2 Cast
Understandably, Boseman’s death left a massive hole in the cast. “There’s only one Chadwick, and he’s not with us,” Marvel Studios executive vice president Victoria Alonso says. “Our king, unfortunately, has died in real life, not just in fiction, and we are taking a little time to see how we return to history and what we do to honor this chapter of what has happened to us that was so unexpected, so painful, so terrible, really.”
Feige has shut down the idea of T’Challa being replaced by a new actor, stating, “I want to acknowledge the devastating loss of a dear friend and a member of our Marvel Studios family. Chadwick Boseman was an immensely talented actor and inspirational individual who affected all of our lives both personally and professionally. His portrayal of T’Challa, the Black Panther, is iconic, and transcends any iteration of the character from any other medium in Marvel’s past. It is for that reason that we will not recast the character.”
Even without him, we will be seeing quite a few familiar faces.
- Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia: T’Challa’s former lover and a War Dog, an undercover spy for the African nation of Wakanda, from the River Tribe.
- Danai Gurira as Okoye: The head of the Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s all-female special forces and T’Challa’s bodyguards.
- Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross: An agent of the Central Intelligence Agency.
- Letitia Wright as Shuri: T’Challa’s younger sister who designs new technology for Wakanda. Following the death of T’Challa actor Chadwick Boseman in August 2020, Shuri was given a larger role in the sequel than she had in the first film.
- Winston Duke as M’Baku: A powerful warrior who is the leader of Wakanda’s mountain tribe, the Jabari.
- Angela Bassett as Ramonda: T’Challa and Shuri’s mother, the Queen Mother of Wakanda.
- Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Ironheart: A genius inventor who creates a suit of armor that rivals the armor of Tony Stark / Iron Man.
- Additionally, Isaach de Bankolé and Dorothy Steel reprise their roles as the Wakandan River Tribe and Merchant Tribe elders. Michaela Coel has been cast in an undisclosed role.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Trailer
The trailer is, unfortunately, not out yet, and taking into account Shuri’s absence, it may get delayed.
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