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‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ is set to be released in theatres next week, 11^th November, but what can we expect from the movie now that its leading man has gone? 

Three months ago, Marvel had debuted its first ever trailer for ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’, confirming T’Challa’s death as part of the storyline, following the tragic demise of Chadwick Boseman in 2020. 

Since then, Marvel has released a second trailer, giving fans more insight into the sequel and who will be stepping into the titular role of the “Black Panther”. So here is what to expect from the movie ahead of its premiere next week. 

T’Challa will not be recasted 

Following the death of Chadwick Boseman, due to colon cancer in August 2020, controversy arose as to what would happen to the ‘Black Panther’ movie franchise and the titular character itself. Some questioned whether it was the end for ‘Black Panther’, whilst others wondered if T’Challa would be recasted.

Victoria Alonso, one of the producers of ‘Black Panther’, established that Boseman will not be recasted nor digitised in the new film: “There’s only one Chadwick, and he’s no longer with us.” 

“Sadly our king has died in real life, not only in fiction, and we’re taking a little time to see how we continue the story and how to honour this chapter of what has unexpectedly happened to us, so painful and terrible to be honest; ” – she added.

With that said, who is to be the next Black Panther? 

Shuri will carry the mantle of the Black Panther 

Now that it is confirmed that T’Challa’s role will not be reprised, fans questioned who would take on the mantle. Well, these questions have now been answered and its non-other than the intellectual, Shuri. 

In the newest trailer for the sequel, viewers were given a quick look at the new Black Panther. Towards the end of the trailer, Black Panther drops from the ceiling, donning a completely different suit that looks a bit more feminine.  

‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ will explore more of Wakanda and its characters 

Kevin Feige said: “Wakanda is a place to further explore with characters and different subcultures. This was always and initially the primary focus of the next story.”

Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Danny Sapani and Martin Freeman will all be reprising their roles as Shuri, Nakia, Okoye, Ramonda, M’Baku, M’Kathu and Everott Ross in the sequel respectively. 

New to the cast is actor Tenoch Huerta, from ‘Narcos: Mexico’, who will be playing the antagonist, Namor, and ‘I May Destroy You’ star Michaela Coel, who will be playing Aneka, a captain and combat instructor.  

It has also been alleged that Duke is set to be given a larger role in the sequel, however this hasn’t been confirmed by Marvel. 

Although, it has been confirmed that Daniel Kaluuya, who played W’Kabi in the first film, will not be returning for the sequel, as timetables for ‘Nope’ and ‘Wakanda Forever’ clashed, with him already being dedicated to shooting ‘Nope’ with ‘Get Out’ director, Jordan Peele. 

Either way, the movie is still expected to be a box office smash hit.

Writing: Shakira Bruce-Abubakar | Subbing: Anna Kamocsai