Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was not only meant to honor Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa’s death, it also served its purpose for Shuri (Letitia Wright) to become the new black panther. But did you know that the Black Panther sequel was actually also meant to introduce Shuri and Riri Williams’ (Dominique Thorne) friendship in Namor’s (Tenoch Huerta) underwater kingdom of Talokan?
READ MORE: Black Panther 2: Marvel Made A 200-Page Bible For Namor’s Kingdom of Talokan
Speaking with SYFY Wire, Black Panther 2 editor Michael P. Shawver unveils that there had been a 5-hour cut from the final product of the film, which included a deeper exploration of the kingdom of Talokan, along with a stronger bond and connection between Shuri and Riri Williams. Check out Shawver’s comment below:
“There were big parts that we had to take out before anyone else saw the movie. They’re [Shuri and Riri Williams] both very unique in terms [of them being] two of the most brilliant minds in the MCU and having them relate was important.”
While this was definitely a missed opportunity to introduce more about Riri, the editor and the team had to make the right call, which is to focus on Riri Williams as a side character simply helping Shuri defeat Namor.
“But the movie needed to move, the pacing needed to move, we needed to get [Shuri] back to her mom. We ended up just figuring out later that, ‘Let’s incorporate [Riri] more into the plan of capturing Namor.”
This would’ve been a pivotal moment between two characters, not only for the sake of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also in being the cause of how Wakanda shapes up to be. What with two geniuses after Tony Stark taking over their kingdom, plus the fact there would’ve been more exploration of Namor’s Underwater kingdom? I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what they make of that 5-hour cut of the film.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in Cinemas worldwide, while Ironheart is slated for release by Summer 2023.
ALSO READ: Black Panther 2 Writer Breaks Silence On T’Challa CGI Recreation Possibility
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