One of the films that people are waiting for is the sequel to the Marvel adaptation of Black Panther. And ever since the death of Chadwick Boseman, people have been wondering what's next for the role of T'Challa.
And now, we finally know a little bit more about the sequel. For starters, it is entitled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Most importantly, the film is already underway.
Here's everything we know about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever:
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Release Date
Black Panther 2 started filming in July 2021 with a goal of a July 2022 release date. With such a tight schedule, post-production started right away. Unfortunately, there were several issues that caused delays to the production: from personal vaccination issues, the spread of Covid Omicron variant, Letitia Wright (as Shuri) getting injured on set, and many more. Production also had to go through a hiatus from November 2021 to January 2022.
After these delays, production is finally back on track and has wrapped up filming in March 2022. They have also revealed a new release date for the movie. Instead of July, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is now slated for a theatrical release on November 11, 2022. This means we can expect the film to be available on Disney+ by late December 2022 or early January 2023.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the last film in MCU's Phase Four.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Story: What Will Black Panther 2 Be About?
In the teaser trailer, we learned that the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever story has been rewritten to a different one. The film will continue to explore Wakanda without recasting T'Challa.
The first trailer revealed that Queen Ramonda (played by Angela Bassett), Shuri, M'Baku (played by Winston Duke), Okoye (played by Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje protecting their country from outsiders in the midst of King T'Challa's death.
The synopsis reveals that as "the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda."
Wakanda has always been established as an advanced yet discrete civilization with their own resources. And ever since then, they have feared that their technology would be abused if it falls into the wrong hands.
One thing we can expect in the Black Panther 2 story is that more of Wakandan history will be explored. This is what Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige, has in mind for the sequel.
He told Entertainment Weekly: "There's that moment where all of the ancestors come behind T'Chaka. We would joke and go, 'I want to see… what's their story? What's that story? Who was Bashenga, the first king of Wakanda? Who's that third to the left, behind T'Chaka? What was their story in Wakanda in 1938? That would be cool."
Unfortunately, this is all we know about the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever plot. Even the actors playing in the movie have shunned any questions regarding the plot.
Angela Bassett told Cinema Blend: "Not one single thing. There will be a Black Panther 2; look for it in November. And it will be amazing. Our director Ryan Coogler, writer, director, perfect leader. It's going to be amazing. It's going to top #1."
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Cast: Who'll Play T'Challa?
The golden question is who will be the new Black Panther?
This has been the question on everyone's minds ever since Boseman unexpectedly died of colon cancer in August 2020.
And during recent events, Marvel Entertainment has revealed that the role of T'Challa will not be recast. Boseman's legacy will be honoured in the sequel.
Marvel also revealed that they will not be using a "digital double" for Boseman's role. Marvel Studios' EVP Victoria Alonso said: "There's only one Chadwick and he's not with us."
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. We're not going to have a CG Chadwick and we're not recasting T'Challa."
Sapani also said that "Obviously, without Chad it's very different. But we're gonna keep flying that flag, keep trying to tell that story because it's just an incredible story and an incredible film."
Michael B. Jordan will not be returning to the sequel for his role as Erik Killmonger since his role died in the first film. The sequel welcomes Michaela Coel, UFC Champion Kamaru Usman, and Dominique Thorne.
The confirmed cast for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will include the following:
- Lupita Nyong'o (as Nakia)
- Letitia Wright (as Shuri)
- Angela Bassett (as Queen Ramonda)
- Danai Gurira (as Okoye)
- Winston Duke (as M'Baku)
- Florenca Kasuma (as Ayo)
- Martin Freeman (as Everett K. Ross)
- Dominique Thorne (as Riri Williams/Ironheart)
- Michaela Coel (as Aneka)
- Tenoch Huerta (as Prince Namor)
- Mabel Cadena (as Namora)
- Alex Livinalli (as Atuma)
- Isaach de Bankole (as Wakandan River Tribe Leader)
- Dorothy Steel (as Wakandan Merchant Tribe Leader)
- Danny Sapani (as Wakandan Border Tribe Leader)
Where to Watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Trailer Online
At the San Diego Comic-Con 2022 in July 2022, a teaser Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer was released. The two-minute clip paid tribute to Boseman, who will forever be remembered as T'Challa.
Nyong'o told The Hollywood Reporter:
"For us as a cast, having lost our king, Chadwick Boseman, that was a lot to process, and in many ways, we're still processing it. When you lose someone, I don't know when you stop missing them. And of course, we felt it so much making this film without him."
You can watch the official teaser here:
A new trailer was exclusively released at Disney's D23 2022 event. Those who were present at the event say that the short clip featured Queen Ramonda as she faced the new interest in Wakanda's Vibranium resources. The trailer also revealed a new villain that goes by the name of Namor battling M'Baku.
The short clip also gave a glimpse of Michaela Coel as Aneka, as well as another clip that hinted Shuri picking up Black Panther's mantle.
Unfortunately, this new teaser is not yet available online.
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