Will There Be a Black Panther 2? Main Characters and Future of the MCU

Ever since Chadwick Boseman's untimely passing, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) have wondered about the fate of Black Panther and whether a sequel would continue the legacy of T'Challa. Here, we explore the possibility of a Black Panther 2, the potential main characters, and the impact of Boseman's death on the series.

Current Status of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently scheduled for release on November 11, 2022. The official plot has not yet been revealed, but it is clear that Chadwick Boseman, the lead actor who played the titular role, will not return. The character of T'Challa will be written out of the story, with the focus shifting to new characters.

The new lead is expected to be Shuri, T'Challa's sister, played by Letitia Wright. Wright had previously stated that she would fill in as the female Black Panther in a later film, indicating that Shuri could take on this role in the sequel.

Release Schedule for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Although initially announced for July 2022, the release date has been pushed back to November 2022. The film's international release dates are as follows:

USA: November 11, 2022 Sweden, Turkey, and UK: July 8, 2022 Australia, Portugal, and Slovakia: July 7, 2022 Germany, Lithuania, and Singapore: July 2022 (no specific date given)

Despite these dates, no announcement has been made about simultaneous premium streaming release on Disney as was the case with Black Widow.

Potential Characters for Black Panther 2

While Shuri is expected to take center stage, other potential characters from the Black Panther universe could also feature in the sequel. Namor the Sub-Mariner and Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, are two notable options.

Namor, the enigmatic leader of the Xemnu, could bring a unique perspective to the story, especially given his half-human and half-Atlantean heritage. However, given his age, it may not be practically feasible for Namor to be a main character in the sequel.

Riri Williams, known as Ironheart, has a significant role in the current MCU with her advanced technology and innovative superheroic capabilities. Her introduction as a key figure in the sequel could provide a fresh and compelling narrative direction.

Criticisms and Questions

There are also criticisms about casting and the future of black actors in the MCU. Samuel L. Jackson, a beloved actor, is already 70 years old, and he has voiced his preference not to play a pagan god again. Another actor who has contributed significantly to the MCU is getting close to winning an Oscar, making it an unlikely scenario for them to return in a new role.

The lack of diverse casting opportunities is also being discussed, with questions being raised about the availability of talented, untapped black actors who could bring new depth and perspectives to the MCU.

Conclusion

The Black Panther 2 is still a possibility, but the challenges of recasting and the complex narrative shifts required to write out Chadwick Boseman's character make it a daunting endeavor. The film's narrative focus on Shuri and other promising characters could revitalize the franchise. The upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a crucial step in this process, and it will be fascinating to see how the story evolves.