The sequel to Black Panther (2018) is set to hit theaters on November 11, 2022. However, it will proceed without the franchise’s cornerstone, the late Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T’Challa. Marvel Studios announced that they would not recast Boseman’s role, leading fans to speculate about who could take up the mantle of Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). A new rumor suggests that the successor might not be who most fans were expecting.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is anticipated to introduce Namor the Sub-Mariner, rumored to be played by Tenoch Huerta. Namor, the King of Atlantis, is expected to wage war on Wakanda, exploiting the absence of T’Challa. In Marvel Comics, Namor has had numerous conflicts with Wakanda, making his introduction a significant plot point.
Many Marvel fans believed that Princess Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, would assume the role of Black Panther, as she did in the 2009 comic Black Panther #5 by Reginald Hudlin. In the comics, Shuri takes over after T’Challa’s death. Marvel Studios might have planned for Shuri to become Black Panther eventually, but Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death could have accelerated those plans.
However, a recent leak on the r/MarvelStudiosSpoilers subreddit suggests that Marvel Studios might have another hero in mind for the new Black Panther. According to the leak, Okoye, portrayed by Danai Gurira, who is the current leader of the Dora Milaje, will don the vibranium suit, at least temporarily. Okoye is also rumored to be getting her own Disney+ series, potentially leading the series as the first female Black Panther. Although Okoye has never held the mantle of Black Panther in the comics, she did recently lead a team called the Agents of Wakanda.
The leak does not provide a specific reason why Marvel Studios might be passing over Shuri for the moment. It could be because her character is still perceived as too young, or it might interfere with other plans the MCU has for Princess Shuri. Another possibility is the backlash Letitia Wright received after reportedly spreading anti-vaccine sentiments on set and on her social media accounts.
The sequel, directed by Ryan Coogler, will also feature Michaela Coel in an unnamed role. Some fans speculated that she might play the X-Men’s Storm, who married T’Challa in the comics. However, other sources claim her character will be named Aneka, leading to theories that she could be Madam Slay, a lover of Erik Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan. Madam Slay does not have an alter ego name revealed in the comics.
Returning cast members include Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, and Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross. The film will also introduce Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart. Additionally, the Marvel Phase Four film will feature an LGBTQ love story. Production has already begun, and set leaks have revealed tributes to Chadwick Boseman, who gave his final performance as T’Challa in the Marvel animated series What If…? on Disney+.
The speculation around who will become the new Black Panther has sparked significant debate among fans. Some believe Okoye’s leadership and combat skills make her a suitable candidate, while others feel Shuri’s intelligence and close relationship with T’Challa make her the rightful heir. The decision will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the MCU’s future.
In the broader context of the MCU, rumors suggest that Marvel may have found a new trinity of superheroes to replace the leadership void left by Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America. This new trinity is rumored to include Anthony Mackie’s Captain America, Letitia Wright’s Shuri, and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. These characters are expected to play crucial roles in leading the team in upcoming films like Avengers 5 and Avengers: Secret Wars.
The seeds for this new leadership trio are expected to be planted by the end of the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World, where Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will be tested in his new role as Captain America. Shuri is expected to be the brain of the team, a necessary role given the complexities of the multiverse. Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel will provide the cosmic presence needed to tackle intergalactic threats.
Marvel’s initial plans for a new trinity included Tom Holland’s Spider-Man, Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther, and Brie Larson’s Captain Marvel. However, the tragic passing of Boseman and complications with Spider-Man’s rights between Marvel and Sony disrupted these plans. The studio has since been exploring various storylines and introducing new superheroes to fill the leadership void.
The upcoming Captain America: Brave New World has faced several issues, including extensive rewrites and reshoots. Despite these challenges, the film is scheduled for release on February 14, 2025, and is expected to set the stage for the new trinity of superheroes in the MCU.
As Marvel Studios navigates these changes, fans eagerly await to see how the legacy of Black Panther will continue and who will ultimately take up the mantle. The decision will not only honor Chadwick Boseman’s memory but also shape the future of the MCU.
Source: Marvel Studios, r/MarvelStudiosSpoilers subreddit
