Sadly, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will not be streaming on Netflix and will only be available to stream on Disney+ after its theatrical run.
When Is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's Release Date?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set for release on November 11, 2022. The film was previously scheduled for May 6, 2022, and later to July 8, 2022, before ultimately being slated for its current November release date. Due to the sudden and unexpected passing of Chadwick Boseman, the movie had to be reworked, which delayed production. The movie had its world premiere at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on October 26, 2022.
A lot has happened in the years since Black Panther became a billion-dollar franchise, namely in that the film’s star, Chadwick Boseman, died from colon cancer in August 2020. Coogler was still penning the script for Black Panther 2 at the time of Boseman’s death.
Where To Watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever :
As of now, the only way to watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is to head out to a movie theater when it releases on Friday, Nov. 11. You can find a local showing on Fandango. Otherwise, you’ll just have to wait for it to become available to purchase or rent on digital platforms like Vudu, Apple, Amazon, and YouTube or become available to stream on Disney+. Read on for more information.
When Will Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Be On Streaming?
While a streaming release date has not yet been announced, we can give an educated guess based on previous Walt Disney Studios films. Though there’s no set pattern, many Disney movies will stream close to 45 days after theatrical release, usually on the Friday after (Disney+’s regular day to release new movies. If that’s the case, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever could be streaming on Disney+ as early as December 30 — or if the service wants to jump the gun, December 25 as an early Christmas present.
Editor's Note: The following contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
After Chadwick Boseman's tragic passing and Marvel Studios' decision never to recast T'Challa, fans were eager to know who would be the next Black Panther. However, T'Challa was more than the protector of Wakanda as he also sat on the throne of the powerful African nation. And with the King gone, we are left wondering who rules Wakanda now.
First with the death of King T'Chaka (John Kani), then with the Snap, and finally with the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the throne of Wakanda changed hands multiple times in a few years. So, now that Wakanda Forever is available in theaters, let's examine the country's complicated political history.
‘Civil War’ and ‘Black Panther’
During the events of Captain America: Civil War, T'Challa gets mixed up with the Avengers after Zemo (Daniel Brühl) frames Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) for the death of King T'Chaka. With the leader of the powerful nations dead, the responsibility to take the throne falls on his son, T'Challa. That happens in Black Panther during a crowing ceremony where M'Baku (Winston Duke) of the Jabari challenges T'Challa for the role of King. While T'Challa wins the duel against M’Baku, his ruling is short-lived. That's because his cousin, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan), shows up, reveals himself as a royal descendant, and ultimately takes Wakanda's throne. T'Challa regains the right to rule at the end of Black Panther, and for a short time, Wakanda is at peace. Then, Thanos (Josh Brolin) attacks.
Who Rules the Nation in ‘Wakanda Forever’?
Thanos' attack did more than destroy Wakanda's capital. It also took their King. When Thanes collects all the Infinity Stones and snaps his fingers, the Mad Titan wipes out half of the sentient life in the universe. Thanos says his decision is impassionate since the people who die are chosen randomly. However, it was still heartbreaking to see some of our favorite heroes départ, including King T'Challa.
It takes five years for the Avengers to reverse Thanos' Snap. And during that time, T'Challa's mother, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), took over the throne to keep Wakanda safe. When T'Challa returns from the Snap, Wakanda thinks their suffering has ended, but their King dies, definitely, shortly after coming back, due to a mysterious disease. Now, TB'Challa is on the Ancestral Plane, and Queen Ramonda once more takes the throne of Wakanda. Wakanda Forever reveals how Ramonda does an excellent job of showing Wakanda's might to the world, but her reign also ends abruptly.
The Future of Wakanda's Throne
In Wakanda Forever, Wakanda goes to war with the underwater nation of Talokan. One of the unfortunate causalities of this conflict is Queen Ramonda, who dies at the hands of Talokan's leader, Namor (Tenoch Huerta Mejía). Ramonda's death leaves the throne vacant once more, at least until Shuri (Letitia Wright) decides to step into her brother's shoes and become the new Black Panther.
While Shuri becomes the protector of Wakanda and ultimately leads the nation against Namor, Wakanda Forever's ending has a shocking surprise for fans. That's because Shuri decides to skip the crowing ceremony after she forges an unstable alliance with Talokan. Instead, she sends M'Baku in her place to take the throne.
We don't get to see what happens in the ceremony, but it's unlikely anyone would fight M'Baku for the throne. First of all, M'Baku is enormous, and few could best him in combat. Most importantly, M'Baku's time as an outcast is long gone, and the warrior repeatedly proved his loyalty to Wakanda. M'Baku was a friend and counselor to T'Challa, helping guide the King during tough times. So, he might be more fit to rule than Shuri, who's just now learning to be a leader. Be as it may, Shuri giving away the throne is an exciting development, and we hope to see how this change will affect the nation in Black Panther 3.
Warning: Contains MAJOR spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Before it started filming, the big question was about how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever would handle T’Challa’s death after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. After defining the role of T’Challa in the MCU through appearances in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, and Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Boseman died in August 2020. Chadwick Boseman’s final credited role came once again as T’Challa as he recorded voice roles for Marvel’s What If…? which was released posthumously in 2021.
How the MCU would handle the character of T’Challa has not only been a major question for the franchise because of the unfortunate nature of Boseman’s death, but also because of the importance of T’Challa and Black Panther to audiences. A movement pushed for T’Challa to be recast in the MCU, and that avenue was raised again after Thaddeus Ross was recast with Harrison Ford following William Hurt’s death. However, Boseman and his role as T’Challa broke new ground for the MCU in Black Panther and the spirit that Boseman brought to the role meant that his portrayal needed to be preserved—something that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever manages well, serving as a tribute to both Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa.
How T'Challa's Death Honors Chadwick Boseman's Death
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it is revealed that Shuri is attempting to save T’Challa from an unspecified illness, but is not able to find a cure in time. One of the major issues that she has to deal with in the wake of her brother’s passing is the fact that T’Challa had kept his illness a secret from her for some time. This not only fits to an extent with the proud character of Wakanda's King T’Challa as he is portrayed in the MCU, but also serves to honor Chadwick Boseman’s real-life passing.
Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, but kept his diagnosis personal, with the exception of a very small group of people outside his own family. His illness and passing came as a huge surprise to many, even those involved with the production. Ryan Coogler noted on Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast that his last conversation with Boseman had been Coogler offering for Boseman to read the Black Panther 2 script he had written, unaware of Boseman’s health. By having T’Challa mirror this choice in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the movie honors Boseman’s own choice to share his personal situation with a select few.
Wakanda Forever Handled T'Challa's Death The Best Way Possible
It was never going to be possible for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to satisfy all audiences with how it handled the character of T’Challa in the wake of Chadwick Boseman’s death. However, the movie manages to handle the situation in the best way that it possibly could. While still remaining an action-driven Marvel movie, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also serves as a tribute to T’Challa and Boseman while exploring how those around the character struggle with his death but cherish his memory.
After documenting Shuri’s (Letitia Wright) attempts to save T’Challa, his funeral procession holds an important place in the introduction of the film, making it clear that the character will not be forgotten. In the scene, the Wakandans wear funeral white (a traditional color of mourning in many cultures). In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Shuri continues to wear white throughout much of the film demonstrating the difficulty she has in moving on from T’Challa’s passing, beyond not being able to take part in the ritual burning of the funeral clothes. Through this simple gesture, T’Challa and Boseman have a presence throughout the movie without being shown many times.
In the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever mid-credits scene, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) introduces Toussaint (Divine Love Konadu-Sun), T’Challa’s son, which provides new hope and helps to ensure the longevity of T’Challa and Boseman’s legacy in the MCU. Shortly before this, as Shuri finally burns her mourning clothes and acknowledges her brother’s death fully, an important detail perfects the movie’s tribute to the character and the actor. The archival shots from earlier movies that are shown of Chadwick Boseman as Shuri’s memories of him are all of him in his normal attire, not his Black Panther costume. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ends on a perfect moment of tribute to both Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa, not as the icons or superheroes they were seen as, but as the real people they were.
Toussaint Satisfies Those Recast T'Challa Theories
With calls to recast not just Black Panther, but T’Challa, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever faced a difficult situation with the fanbase. While Shuri becomes the new Black Panther, the protector of Wakanda, Kevin Feige and other Marvel creatives stated that they would not recast T’Challa himself. While arguments against recasting T’Challa ranged from honoring the memory of Chadwick Boseman to the shoes being simply too big to ask any actor to fill, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever found a clever workaround.
By introducing Toussaint, the young Prince T’Challa, son of King T’Challa in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever mid-credits scene, Marvel can work towards satisfying a wider range of people. For proponents of theories for recasting T’Challa, Toussaint is able to grow up over the course of the MCU (either in real-time or through a fictional, faster aging process), and can become T’Challa the Black Panther in his own right. This way, the MCU will still be able to tackle King T’Challa storylines from the comics without having to directly recast Chadwick Boseman’s iconic role.
Does T'Challa Die In Marvel Comics? What Happened In His Story
The death of a comic book superhero is not massively unusual, and many of the characters that appear in the MCU have died in the Marvel comics (often several times). With Chadwick Boseman’s unfortunate passing and the decision to not recast T’Challa directly, it seems that T’Challa is dead in the MCU and will remain so. However, that’s a break from the character in the source material as T’Challa has never died in the comics (at least not exactly).
T'Challa is almost killed multiple times in the comics, perhaps most notably when he fights Killmonger in ritual combat and loses the title of Black Panther before being healed and reclaiming the title, a story that was adapted for the first Black Panther movie. T’Challa also meets a version of himself from the future in one storyline, and discovers that version is terminally ill. Despite attempts to save him, this version of T’Challa from the future fell into a coma and was eventually killed by Man-Ape. While this future version of T’Challa died, the main version did not.
One other notable occasion in the comics that ties into some of the choices made in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, sees T’Challa left in a coma by Doctor Doom in a plan with ties to Namor. While T’Challa was in a coma, Shuri took on the mantle of Black Panther, and when T’Challa awoke from his coma, he ultimately gained different powers. While Chadwick Boseman’s version of T’Challa is confirmed to have died in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the character will still exist in the Marvel comics and will clearly live on in the MCU through the people he touched.
Marvel Studios vice president of production and development Nate Moore wasn't happy with the speculation surrounding Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Letitia Wright's views on COVID-19 vaccination.
The producer of the upcoming Black Panther sequel told Variety he was concerned with the reports about Wright's vaccination status, saying that he never asked the Guyanese-British actor whether or not she received the vaccine. "It's not a question we asked of anybody, to be quite honest," Moore said. "She never talked about her views either way. We read the stories that I would argue were unfair, because I don't know where they're coming from. As someone who literally is on set next to the monitor all the time, I feel like I would have heard it." Moore also confirmed there was no vaccine requirement for the Wakanda Forever cast and insisted Wright was a pro throughout production. "She only ever was the utmost professional and a joy to have around," he said.
Wright's vaccination status first became a hot topic in December 2020 when she shared a YouTube video wherein a church leader questioned the legitimacy of the COVID-19 vaccines and made comments perceived by many as transphobic. YouTube later removed the video, and Wright insisted she only shared it to warn people about the possible risks of the vaccines. Wright deleted her social media accounts soon after.
Letitia Wright Still Hasn't Addressed Her Vaccination Status
Reports that Wright promoted anti-vaccine sentiments while filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever began circulating in late 2021. Wright declined to talk about the reports, instead returning to Instagram to release a statement addressing the "completely untrue" claim. "Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows that I work incredibly hard at my craft [and] my main focus is always to do work that's impactful and inspiring," she wrote. "That has been [and] will continue to be my only focus." Wright never did confirm whether or not she received vaccination against COVID-19, and a September 2022 report suggested Marvel was disappointed with Wright's anti-vax sentiments.
The speculation surrounding Wright's vaccine views wasn't the actor's only problem while shooting Wakanda Forever. In August 2021, she suffered an on-set accident that left her with a concussion and fractured shoulder, which put filming on pause for several weeks. Wright recently revealed she is still healing from the accident. "I'm still processing it," she said. "I'm still working through it in therapy. It was really traumatic."
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is only a couple of months out from its November release in theaters, coming as the final movie in Phase 4 of the MCU.
This movie is set to bring some intense emotions as Wakanda goes to battle with Namor the Sub-Mariner’s Talocan, although the African nation will also be mourning the loss of the late Chadwick Boseman’s King T’Challa. Multiple supporting characters from 2018’s Black Panther will have to step into more prominent roles after Marvel decided not to recast the role of T’Challa, which is sure to make for one of the most heartbreaking movies in MCU history.
But even though T’Challa is gone, the Black Panther has to live on in the MCU, as was teased at the end of the movie’s first trailer with a shot of a new heroic vibranium suit in action. The big question now is who will step into the Black Panther suit - a question that surely won’t be answered until the sequel debuts.
Wakanda has a handful of worthy successors to the mantle, including a couple of important leaders from various national tribes and members of T'Challa's own family. And with the King of Wakanda having built up relationships with all of them over the years, fans are eagerly waiting to see who will be the one to take on the responsibility of leading Wakanda into the future.
Without further ado, here are five different characters who could be wearing the Black Panther suit in November's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Shuri
At the top of the list of potential candidates is Letitia Wright's Shuri, for a number of reasons. She's the late King T'Challa's sister and part of the royal family, she helped to design the very suit she'd be wearing as the Black Panther, and she also fits the build of the body seen at the end of the first trailer for Wakanda Forever.
Additionally, a LEGO set for the movie seems to reveal that Shuri wears the suit in the movie, although it's difficult to tell with the image being so small. While her role in Black Panther 2 is already an important one, she would be young enough to carry the mantle for some time while still serving as one of Wakanda's leaders through its transition period.
When asked about whether she'd be the new leading hero, Wright even played coy with the answer, telling fans to get their ticket shortly after the first trailer debuted at San Diego Comic-Con. An answer like that unquestionably puts Shuri in contention to be the new Black Panther, not confirming anything one way or the other.
M'Baku
After appearances in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame, Winston Duke's M'Baku will be back to play a significant role in Black Panther 2. This role is so big that he even negotiated a significant pay raise to appear as M'Baku for the fourth time, which could tease a promotion in the story itself.
M'Baku remains the leader of the Jabari tribe, which would allow him to at least challenge for the throne of Wakanda, just as he did against King T'Challa in 2018's Black Panther. The previously mentioned raise could indicate that he'll honor T'Challa by ruling over Wakanda after his death, which could be especially meaningful now that the Jabari tribe is united with the rest of their people again.
Killmonger
Michael B. Jordan's Erik Killmonger is certainly the wildest option on this list, simply due to the fact that he was killed at the end of Black Panther in his fight with T'Challa. But given his popularity, and looking at a couple of interesting MCU theories, there's a slight chance that fans could see the fan-favorite Marvel villain back in action for Black Panther 2.
One theory notes that Killmonger could simply be in a state of limbo in the Wakandan afterlife, the Ancestral Plane, similarly to how Marc Spector was stuck in the Field of Reeds during Episode 5 and Episode 6 of Disney+'s Moon Knight. There's also the fact that Killmonger wanted to be buried in the ocean, and with Namor the Sub-Mariner playing a big role as the sequel's antagonist, Erik Stevens' body could certainly come into play with the ocean being such a big factor.
While Killmonger may be unlikely, nobody is ever truly dead in the MCU, opening the door for him to potentially make a glorious comeback this year.
Nakia
Nakia was first shown as somebody who wasn't one of Wakanda's fighters in the original Black Panther, even making a point to Shuri that she's "not a Dora [Milaje]" when Shuri gave her armor to wear in the final battle. But considering her close relationship with T'Challa, she could find herself in the running to become the new Black Panther.
T'Challa's death is unquestionably going to hit her hard, and with Lupita Nyong'o's hero always looking for ways to help her country, she could find inspiration to take on more responsibility to protect Wakanda without its king. Fans also haven't seen her in action since 2018, giving her plenty of time over the years to become a more capable fighter while developing as a character in other areas.
Okoye
Danai Gurira's Okoye still holds a prominent role as the general of the Dora Milaje, although she took on even more leadership after The Snap by meeting with the Avengers during Endgame. And after T'Challa's death, her place as the leader of Wakanda's army should lead to the general taking more responsibility, which might wind up with her suiting up as the new Black Panther by the end of the sequel.
While Okoye certainly has all the skills and experience necessary to take over as Wakanda's protector, there's a chance she may feel more comfortable remaining in her position with the Dora Milaje. She'll be a key player in the country's future endeavors no matter where she stands with Wakanda's leadership, although there are certainly plenty of fans who would enjoy seeing her in the vibranium suit.
Who Will Become the New Black Panther?
All five of these options are certainly worthy of continuing the Black Panther legacy in Wakanda, and anticipation is high to see who will have to take on those duties come the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
For now, the most likely option seems to be Shuri due to how the hero looks in the first trailer on top of her place as T'Challa's sister and the princess of Wakanda. But there's also a chance that the suit goes through more than one wearer through the course of the movie, with the final decision potentially coming during an intense final moment in the story.
Regardless of who winds up in this position, it will remain an intense mystery for fans to see resolved as Phase 4 comes to an end.
While Black Panther 2 will no doubt be focused on Wakanda's war with Namor and his undersea kingdom along with the legacy of the Black Panther himself, one major cameo could set up the foundation for Marvel's Thunderbolts (and more). Currently held within a Wakandan prison (seen in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier), the opportunity exists for Baron Helmet Zemo to make a new appearance in the upcoming Black Panther sequel. As such, a cameo for Zemo could easily serve as the foundation for future films in the MCU which have been rumored to feature the Avengers rival as well.
As revealed in the first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the powerful African nation will be grappling with the loss of King T'Challa who also served as their protector known as the Black Panther (mirroring the tragic loss of the late Chadwick Boseman). However, the sequel will also see Wakanda going to war with Talocan, the underwater kingdom ruled by King Namor. The trailer hints that this will be a large and public conflict, one that may motivate other countries to take action in the face of these powerful nations.
While the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame did much to capture the world's attention, Wakanda branched out under the rule of King T'Challajust before Thanos' attack, revealing its true nature to the world as well as its vast resources. Naturally, it stands to reason that some countries may feel threatened by the advanced vibranium technology and defense capabilities Wakanda wields. It's possible this upcoming war between Wakanda and Talocan may motivate new responses from the US in the name of security and defense, and can lead to the greenlighting or a more morally gray team of superhumans than has ever been seen before in the MCU. Crucially, a cameo role or post-credits scene appearance from Daniel Brühl's Baron Zemo could kickstart the creation of his classic team from comics: The Thunderbolts.
Zemo In Black Panther 2 Can Lead To Captain America 4 & Thunderbolts
Set to release in July of 2024, Marvel's Thunderbolts is expected to bring together a team similar to the comics' team of the same name. Consisting of more morally ambiguous superhumans in the name of brutal justice, the Thunderbolts began as a team of villains posing as heroes under the leadership of Baron Zemo. However, the team has fluctuated over the years and they've actually become a genuine force for good in the process.
At the present, it's widely believed that the MCU's Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus) is building toward a film version of the Thunderbolts, having already recruited John Walker's U.S Agent as a member in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. She's also connected to Yelena Belova's Black Widow. However, it's not a stretch to imagine that someone as resourceful as Helmet Zemo would be able to escape Wakanda during its war with Talocan (to then be recruited by the Contessa as well).
The war itself could directly lead to the upcoming Captain America: New World Order which comes to theaters just ahead of Marvel's Thunderbolts in May of 2024. The next Captain America film can deal with the political fallout of Black Panther 2 which will in turn lead to the creation of the team to be seen in Marvel's Thunderbolts. An appearance by Baron Zemo in Black Panther 2 could certainly lead to a major return for the character, motivating more than one future plot for upcoming films to follow in the MCU.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to be Marvel Studios’ final movie of Phase 4, introducing some thrilling new characters that will make an impact all throughout the Multiverse Saga. Included in that mix is Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams, who will take the first steps on her journey towards becoming the MCU’s Ironheart in this expansive sequel.
Riri Williams looks to continue the legacy built by Tony Stark throughout the Infinity Saga, which was already teased in the first trailer for Black Panther 2, as she develops her tech. She’ll progress towards building the most advanced piece of weaponry since Tony’s original Iron Man suit, and it will all start with her first interactions with the Wakandans in this Phase 4 outing.
Shortly after San Diego Comic-Con, fans got the first look at Ironheart’s Mark I armor through a Funko Pop! image, with Riri utilizing an impressive set of jets and repulsers, although the suit doesn’t come equipped with a helmet yet. Now, fans have gotten a look at one of her newer suits, which gives the MCU newcomer a striking outfit for her debut.
Ironheart Armor Gets Upgrade in New Pics
As shared by Twitter user @namecomputron, Marvel Studios has revealed the first look at Riri Williams' upgraded Ironheart armor from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in a new Hasbro Titan Hero Series toy set.
While it's unclear if this is her Mark II or Mark III armor, this new suit includes some impressive upgrades, featuring a fully-evolved helmet and a bulked-up chestpiece.
This Hasbro set for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also includes Letitia Wright's Shuri and Tenoch Huerta's Namor the Sub-Mariner.
The suit boasts an incredible color palate, largely featuring a bold red on the body of the suit and most of the arms. There is black plating down the middle under Riri's classic Ironheart emblem, and her mask even features a menacing black color with red coming through on the side of the head and down her neck.
For comparison, below is an image of Riri's Mark II and Mark III Ironheart armors from the comics. Mark II pays homage to Iron Man's appearance with the red and gold color scheme, while Mark III moves towards Riri's classic combo of black, pink, and gold.
Black Panther 2 Give Ironheart an Impressive Suit
"Tell you what...throw a little hot-rod red in there."
As has been the case throughout all of Phase 4, Black Panther 2 brings yet another exciting suit to the big screen from the comics. And while Riri Williams may not get this version of the Ironheart armor until later in the movie, this toy set confirms that this armor will make its way into the movie before the credits roll.
Looking at the armor itself, it takes aspects from both the Mark II and Mark III armor from the comics, featuring a mostly red body with hints of black in the arms and on the mask. Fans are already curious to see whether this suit will be the only other one seen besides her first attempt at the suit earlier in the movie, but this one will almost certainly be put to good use in Black Panther 2's final battle.
It's also been speculated that the Wakandans will actually build this version of the Ironheart suit for Riri, which would make sense considering how advanced it looks from a visual perspective. This is the same country that already built the Winter Soldier a new arm in Avengers: Infinity War, and based on Shuri's interaction with Riri in the trailer, their relationship should grow stronger throughout the movie.
Regardless of how the details work out, this new armor will make for some memorable moments in Black Panther 2 as the young MIT student finds herself teaming up with the people of Wakanda. She's also rumored to be at the center of the core conflict that will pit Wakanda and Namor's people against one another, which further indicates how crucial she will be to the main story.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will debut in theaters on November 11.
Shuri has taken the mantle of Black Panther on multiple occasions in the pages of Marvel Comics, but a new moment between the hero and Moon Girl shows why she's best suited to being Wakanda's top inventor and one of their most valuable assets instead. In Avengers and Moon Girl #1, Shuri assists Marvel's most brilliant hero in finding Devil Dinosaur, showing that she doesn't need a superhero costume or grand role to be extremely important.
Shuri is the genius sister of T'Challa, the king of Wakanda best known for donning the mantle of Black Panther in the Marvel Universe. However, Shuri has taken on the superhero role herself, becoming Black Panther after her brother was seriously injured. As Black Panther, Shuri did a fine job and protected Wakanda admirably, eventually convincing the Panther Goddess that she's worthy of the hero's powers. However, Shuri would only serve as Black Panther until T'Challa's return. It's rumored that Letitia Wright's Shuri in the MCU could step into the role of Black Panther in the upcoming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
In Avengers and Moon Girl #1 by Mohale Mashigo, Dio Neves, Salva Espin, Bruno Oliveira, Rachelle Rosenberg, and VC's Travis Lanham from Marvel Comics, Moon Girl's Devil Dinosaur has gone missing with Captain Marvel detecting its presence. Captain Marvel sends Moon Girl (and her family) to Wakanda, where she links up with Shuri, who helps track down DD with nanobots. She gives Moon Girl a Panther Blaster to help track down Devil Dinosaur on the moon. With Shuri's tech, the young hero is equipped to encounter numerous clones before learning the High Evolutionary her captured the prehistoric sidekick.
The comic shows Shuri at her best as she assists Moon Girl in tracking down Devil Dinosaur, provides powerful tech to help the young hero against dangerous threats, and ultimately inspires her with her incredible intellect and inventing prowess. She doesn't need to be Wakanda's Black Panther or live in her brother's shadow to be an important hero. Her genius as an inventor and tech expert is the perfect role for her, as she does it better than anyone else.
That said, there's absolutely nothing wrong with Shuri taking on the mantle of Black Panther. She did an admirable job in the role and proved to be a worthy successor to T'Challa. But, in Wakanda, as the nation's most brilliant hero with incredible technological innovations that help heroes and protect her home, Shuri already has the perfect role. She doesn't need to be Black Panther to show her true value - she already shows it on a regular basis.
One of the most complex characters in the Marvel Universe -- Namor the Sub-Mariner -- will finally debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Since his start, the amphibious superhero has always been on the side of heroes, but when it came time to defend the surface world or his people, he always chose his people. Now, audiences will see this firsthand as his armies invade and potentially devastate Wakanda. But one theory may tease that this attack is only the beginning of what could be an even greater battle on the horizon.
In the comics, Namor often fought against the surface world because their actions would cause problems for the ocean and, in turn, his people. That would lead to him mercilessly striking out in anger and putting him at odds with other heroes. Now, depending on where Wakanda Forever lands on the timeline, that could happen because of the events of Eternals, which involved the Celestial Tiamut rising up in the ocean.
There's much that's still left unsaid regarding the status of Tiamut. For starters, while the prevailing theory is that it could be the next base for the Avengers, there are larger implications about what its presence could mean for the planet. Any residual Celestial energies seeping from the structure could further poison or mutate the ocean and its inhabitants. As a result, this could also impact Namor's people in Talocan. Since the surface has yet to tackle this phenomenon, this would only lead to more anger and cause him to attack.
And if Namor remains with his people as a temporary ally to the surface at the end of Wakanda Forever, it would only further strain his relationship with them. As they sit idly by and let the planet get poisoned, Namor would get compelled to strike, taking things they hold dear away from them to teach a lesson. But a move like that could lead to war. If so, it would also lead to a conflict between him and other heroes. That could include the likes of the Thunderbolts or even the Fantastic Four.
Namor has had a long history with the Fantastic Four, even harboring romantic feelings for the Invisible Woman. Introducing them as an obstacle to avert war would be a great way to create tension within the team and form even more connections between the other heroes. In fact, the Fantastic Four could be the team that helps Namor hold off his attack and join in trying to solve the Celestial problem through science so that both sides could benefit.
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has never been afraid to sit on a character or concept until the time is right to revisit it. The same could be said for Tiamut, which has remained in the ocean for some time now. Whether this could lead to Namor's next great war remains to be seen. But it's clear that someone will have to answer for the lack of action to study or even remove the giant Celestial.
To see what causes Namor's war, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters Nov. 11.
Winston Duke has revealed how his Black Panther: Wakanda Forever character M'Baku has changed since the events of 2018's Black Panther.
"I think the events of Infinity War and Endgame really showed that the Jabari are now full-fledged members of Wakanda," the actor told Collider. "M'Baku was a part of every single conflict; every event, and I don't think they could really exist in isolation anymore. They have open borders, and we saw that M'Baku was really Wakandan. His entire community has expanded." Duke's first appearance as M'Baku was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe film Black Panther where he showed up as a minor antagonist willing to fight King T'Challa for the right to rule Wakanda. He reprised his role in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War and 2019's Avengers: Endgame, acting as an ally to Black Panther and the Avengers during their battle against Thanos and his army on the Wakanda border.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever focuses on the leaders of Wakanda as they fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. The upcoming Marvel Studios film is the first MCU project featuring Black Panther to not involve Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020 after a lengthy battle with colon cancer. The actor portrayed T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War (2016), Black Panther (2018), Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) as well as voiced variants of the character in the animated series What If...? (2021).
Namor Arrives in Wakanda Forever
Namor the Sub-Mariner, a character who has been hinted at existing in the MCU since 2010's Iron Man 2, will finally make his MCU debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, played by Tenoch Huerta. The upcoming sequel will mark the first time the character, who is King of Atlantis and a mutant, has appeared in a live-action project. Huerta had been rumored to be playing Namor since June 2021, but his casting was only confirmed when Marvel Studios debuted the first Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer at 2022's San Diego Comic-Con. The actor has since revealed that, while playing Namor has been "overwhelming," he is excited to be joining the MCU as a superhero.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever stars an ensemble cast that includes Duke, Huerta, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Michaela Coel, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli. The film opens in theaters on Nov. 11.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to honor the late Chadwick Boseman in an emotional way while also setting the stage to showcase his successor. Marvel Studios has already confirmed that T'Challa will not be recast for the MCU, meaning that someone will take the Wakandan mantle in the sequel.
In the past months, many have speculated that the next Black Panther of the MCU will be Letitia Wright's Shuri, but Marvel has yet to confirm such plot details. In the MCU, the Black Panther mantle is one that can be passed down and taken on by a new character, and the sequel is expected to do a deep dive into such transition after the confirmed death of T'Challa.
The first official trailer revealed that someone will indeed become the new Wakandan hero, but his or her identity is still being kept under wraps. Now, one of the Black Panther actresses has addressed the confirmed replacement.
Is Shuri the Next Black Panther?
After Marvel Studios' mega-sized panel at this year's San Diego Comic-Con, Shuri actress Letitia Wright was asked by several outlets if the Wakandan princess is the next Black Panther in the upcoming MCU sequel.
When asked by Josh Horowitz of MTV News if Shuri is wearing the Black Panther suit at the end of the trailer, Wright played coy about the matter, telling him that everyone should just buy tickets to find out:
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but November 11th, you get your ticket.”
Why Shuri Deserves to be the Next Black Panther
It's not unusual that Letitia Wright is not answering the question of who the next Black Panther is in the MCU, especially considering that it is a huge spoiler. The no-answer approach of the Marvel actress would definitely build anticipation for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, thus engaging viewers even more to watch the sequel.
The fact that Lupita Nyong'o and Wright mentioned that the sequel's cast and crew were able to move forward "with love and care" suggests that the tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman will be special and respectful to all parties involved. It also means that the expectation from them is that the fans will be satisfied with the sequel's tribute.
As for the identity of the next Black Panther, there's a strong chance that Shuri will take the mantle, mainly because the Wakandan princess is next in line for it. It would also be fitting if Shuri would be the one to create the next Black Panther suit since she already crafted impressive modifications to T'Challa's suit in the first film.
If Shuri is not the next MCU hero, then the likely candidates would be Nakia or Winston Duke's M'Baku. Nakia is qualified due to her close ties to T'Challa and being skilled in combat, while M'Baku's leadership and immense passion for Wakanda make him a solid candidate as well.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to premiere in theaters on Friday, November 11.
There were so many amazing announcements coming out of the Marvel Studios panel at San Diego Comic Con on Saturday night. This included the first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The footage for the highly anticipated sequel teased many compelling things. However, one key piece that will not be lost on any fan is that the trailer and synopsis for the film officially confirmed Tenoch Huerta(Narcos: Mexico) is playing classic Marvel character Namor the Sub-Mariner.
This is one of Marvel's oldest characters dating all the way back to 1939. The anti-hero is very similar in power set and backstory to DC Comics’ Aquaman for anyone unfamiliar with the character. He's a hybrid born from an Atlantean princess and a human. Namor protects the seas from any threats, and he has classic abilities like superhuman strength, speed, and breathing underwater. However, while not seen in the trailer, he also can fly unlike his DC counterpart. Namor’s powers are considered a mutation in the comics. With the MCU slowly introducing mutants with Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Ms. Marvel, it remains to be seen if Marvel will continue down this path with the Namor character.
In the trailer itself, we see a very menacing-looking version of the character, pointy ears and all. Also, like many of the comics, Namor is a king in the MCU. Most likely of Atlantis, but it’s not mentioned in the official plot synopsis or trailer. Namor and his army are the main villains of the film. They couldn’t come at a worse time as Wakanda is mourning the loss of their King. That is sure to give Namor the upper hand, at least at first.
Namor for a long time was one of the characters considered too tough to translate outside the comics. This was mainly due to his green one-piece Speedo look, but Marvel once again has found a way to crack this seemingly impossible code. It’s funny because they didn’t do much to update Namor’s costume. He’s still wearing the green trunks(though considerably longer) and his winged feet are intact, but the cool additional armor pieces go a long way to make this once absurd look work on screen. It also helps that Huerta owns the costume. They tease him throughout the trailer and, in the few small glimpses we get, Huerta is extremely intimidating.
This extends to Namor’s army who add such a visually distinct element to this sequel. That already helps separate the film from the original Black Panther. There are times when Wakanda Forever could be mistaken for the next Avatar film. That’s how visually stunning and interesting this trailer is which has a lot to do with Namor’s involvement.
There was a lot of speculation on how Marvel would handle this sequel given the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020. However, this weighty trailer that focused on honoring his legacy can make MCU fans rest easy. Not too easy though as Namor is lurking in the depths below. His presence gives this story an epic, almost war-like, film feel to it where we’re sure to get at least a few mesmerizing battles between the Dora Milaje and Atlanteans. While the teaser or synopsis doesn’t indicate what the two kingdoms are fighting about, we are sure to learn more closer to the film’s release. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases in theaters on November 11, 2022, and, until then, you can view images of Namor in all his glory from the trailer down below.
While we wait to learn more about Namor, check out the new images from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer below:
Marvel Studios has released a new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the highly-anticipated sequel set in the African corner of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Just like we mourned the tragic passing of Black Panther’s star Chadwick Boseman, the trailer also teases how the sequel will deal with the early departure of Wakanda’s king.
The new trailer brings back many familiar faces from Black Panther, all mourning the passing of their king. Among the people devastated by King T'Challa's death, we find Lupita Nyong'o’s Nakia, Winston Duke’s M’Baku, Angela Bassett’s Ramonda, Danai Gurira as Okoye, and Letitia Wright’s Shuri, all members of the royal family or close friends who fought alongside Black Panther for numerous battles. The death of King T’Challa is bound to have a significant impact on Wakanda, especially since one of the last royal decisions T’Challa took before the events of Avengers: Infinity Wars and Avenger: Endgame was to take the afrofuturistic nation out of hiding. At the end of Black Panther, King T’Challa decides to lead the Wakandan people in new cooperation deals with the whole world.
Due to Wakanda’s efforts to share its wealth and technology with other nations, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will also serve as the MCU introduction of Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams. In the comic books, Riri is a genius young woman who replaced Tony Stark as a new armored superhero named Ironheart. Ironheart is also set to become a series in Disney+, which means Wakanda Forever’s plot will lead to whatever solo adventure Riri needs to go on next.
Besides introducing a brand-new hero to the MCU and solving the issue of Black Panther’s legacy, Wakanda Forever is also expected to tie in with an untitled spinoff series set in Wakanda. Starring Gurira as the warrior Okoye, the series will keep exploring Wakandan mythology and foreign relationships, keeping a franchise that Boseman helped create alive. All these efforts will shift the focus of the Black Panther franchise to other characters, as Marvel Studios has promised never to recast the role of King T’Challa.
After helming the first Black Panther, Ryan Coogler is back to helm the sequel. Once more, Coogler signs the script together with Joe Robert Cole. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will also see the return of Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, a CIA agent with close ties to Wakanda. Wakanda Forever newcomers include Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You) and Tenoch Huerta (Narcos: Mexico).
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is due to be released this November 11. Check out the new trailer below:
After a one-year hiatus due to COVID delays in 2020, fans are still experiencing the most plentiful era in comic book movie history. Last year, 7 superhero blockbusters of varying quality hit theaters. Just when audiences thought that was the peak of fandom, 10 will release in theaters in 2022. Undoubtedly the biggest year in comic book movies since, well, last year.
It begins this weekend with The Batman and will end in December with Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. In the middle fans will experience another Sony Spider-Man anti-hero, the MCU Multiverse slip into madness, and the hierarchy of power in the DC Universe change forever. There are even two animated entries into the library in 2022. One is a fun family trip to the theaters while the other is the sequel to what some consider the greatest comic book movie of all time. Oh, and Michael Keaton is in 20% of superhero movies set to release this year.
With all of that being said, on an opening day for Matt Reeves' The Batman, The Direct ranked all 10 comic book movies set to release in theaters this year in order of how excited we are first each...
BONUS: Batgirl
Before diving into the list, it is worth noting Batgirl is set to be released on HBO Max in late 2022. While Batgirl will not be hitting theaters, DC is still treating it as a high-budget feature film starring Leslie Grace as Barbara Gordon and Brenda Fraser as the villainous Firefly. The excitement level of this movie is tough to gauge due to the lack of knowledge about the film itself. Fans know that JK Simmons is reprising his role as the Snyderverse's Jim Gordon and that Michael Keaton is suiting back up to play Batman.
So the question really is, which universe is this movie a part of? With The Flash set to answer these questions, audiences will surely have a better idea before this movie's release. But with nothing besides a few set images and a look at the classic purple and gold Batgirl suit, that is about all fans have at the moment.
So, while it does not qualify for our list of most anticipated movies released in theaters, Batgirl will surely set the tone for DC's movie streaming future.
10. DC League of Super-Pets
Coming in at number 10 on the list is DC’s League of Super-Pets. Starring Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, this film is a tried and true child-focused cartoon built for a family trip to the theaters. A fun look at the pets of DC’s biggest names, this animated movie was expected to land at the bottom of this list.
There is nothing this movie can or will do wrong to deserve this bottom spot, however, in the cinematic universe world, this movie is undoubtedly the most inconsequential. That is spotlighted even more by the fact that the lead voice, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, is also the lead of another film on this list.
While there is a built-in excuse of the animated movie ranking lower than live-action, DC’s League of Super-Pets is not the only animated film in 2022. And the other is very different and ranked much higher.
9. Morbius
At number 9 is the latest installment to the Sony Spider-Man Universe, Morbius. Following in the footsteps of Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage, the Jared Leto-led film is another addition to the anti-hero rouges gallery being built in this Sony universe. With an adjacent relation to the MCU Spider-Man, fans are excited for potential bridges between cinematic universes, but not much else.
The reality is that the lack of hype for Morbius can be drawn directly back to the poor reception of Venom: Let There Be Carnage. The marketing campaign for that movie was primarily focused on the post-credit scene. Which ended up being an ambiguous blending of universes between Sony and Marvel Studios that was “resolved” in Spider-Man: No Way Home, leaving more questions than answers.
Similar to its universal predecessor, the marketing for Morbius highlights other potential world-building elements from not only the MCU Spider-Man (Michael Keaton’s Adrian Toomes) but also the early 2000s Sam Raimi universe and the Andrew Garfield-led TASM (The Amazing Spider-Man) universe.
With the majority of the stake being in supplement facets of the movie, the excitement for Morbius is less than stellar despite stars like Jared Leto, Tyrese, and the aforementioned Keaton.
8. Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom
On the surface, seeing the sequel to the DCEU’s first (and only) billion-dollar movie this low on the list feels like a letdown. And for all intents and purposes, it is. But it is hard to blame Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, and not the universe it is tethered to.
Contained to itself, the sequel for Jason Mamoa’s Arthur Curry has plenty of opportunities to meet the bar of Aquaman in being a fun and colorful underwater superhero-popcorn flick. But with the DCEU being as in flux as it is, it is understandable that people are having a hard time getting too excited.
Something to keep in mind is that Aquaman and The Lost Kingdom releases after The Flash, a multiversal movie that is set to reset, rework, and/or reestablish the DC Extended Universe. Which would ideally get people on the same page ahead of Aquaman 2.
7. Black Adam While Lost Kingdom is a step forward for the DCEU, Black Adam looks back to rebuild this fragmented universe from the ground up. Dwayne Johnson is Black Adam giving lore and mythos to the Shazam character, while also putting a very powerful and anticipated player on the field for the DCEU.
The star power is all the way there, the cast of characters is something they put marketing behind, and this has the baseline of popcorn high-action fun. The opportunity to surprise with great world-building and character development is what fans are hoping for.
This movie landing higher than the 7 spots at the end of 2022 would be two birds one stone situation. It would introduce an exciting new franchise with Johnson’s Black Adam, while also propping up the already established Shazam! Franchise, starring Zachary Levi.
6. The Flash
And finishing the run of DCEU 2022 movies, The Flash is being touted as the rebuild project of the DCEU. The movie that has been in the works for seemingly forever, the first-ever theatrically released Barry Allen movie is in an interesting spot.
While many comic fans are excited to see the Scarlett Speedster finally get his shine on the big screen, this movie is just as much about Batman as it is about Flash. With both Michael Keaton and Ben Affleck set to return, many fans are just as if not more excited about those appearances.
Add in the potential for this movie to completely reestablish the DCEU, it is plausible that Flash is the 3rd billed attraction for The Flash movie. While that may bum out hardcore Barry Allen comic fans, it will bring plenty of people to theaters for curiosity alone.
5. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Much like Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, asking someone in 2018 to guess where the Black Panther sequel would fall on a hype-list of 10, the 5 spots would feel like a letdown. But this is a very different situation.
The tragic passing of lead man Chadwick Boseman was the first domino to fall in a line of hurdles for Ryan Coogler and his team. Between offscreen controversy, injuries on set, and a COVID scare within the cast, there are plenty of reasons to doubt that Black Panther Wakanda Forever will live up to the original.
But with an IP like this and the love for the Black Panther character, chances are the first look will put this movie at the forefront of everyone's mind. People are waiting how Marvel Studios will pay respect to one of the most beloved members of the Marvel family.
RIP King.
4. Spider-Man Across The Universe Another sequel is being tasked to live up to the elite success of its predecessor. Spider-Man Across the Spiderverse Part 1 has everything in front of it to do what Into The Spiderverse did and become an instant classic.
Much like ITSV, this sequel is coming out in a year full of some of the biggest comic book movies of all time. But this is where the animated aspect plays an advantage. Across the Spiderverse Pt. 1 only has one thing to focus on, being a great sequel to a great movie. No universal guidelines to follow while at the same time, limitless possibilities of scope.
It is hard to any reason for people to think this movie doesn’t live up to the number 4 hype. When Into The Spiderverse was as successful as it was, there is nowhere to go but up.
3. Thor: Love and ThunderThe first-ever 4th installment of a franchise in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Thor: Love and Thunder are holding its cards very close to the chest. But everyone is expecting those cards to be laced in neon, heavy hair metal, and enormous arms.
Previously one of the lower-tier members of the MCU roster, Thor has rebuilt into not only one of the best IPs on the team but also one of the most fun. With only one Taika Waititi installment on the books, everyone is looking for how weird and wild we can go.
Thor: Love and Thunder are set to feature new characters, return fan-favorites, and advance a story that can and will go anywhere it wants. With the baseline of “fun” established in this IP, nothing but excitement for Love and Thunder.
2. The Batman As The Batman roars into theaters this weekend, it is the second most anticipated movie of the year for the staff at TheDirect.com. One of, if not the biggest name in comic book movie history, the 11th appearance from live-action Batman puts people in the seats.
The early reviews have thrown gas on the fire and the bar is set high for Robert Pattinson’s Batman. For almost 2 years, trailers for this movie have been praised across the internet, and rightfully so.
A big aspect of anticipation for these types of movies is the trailer and being able to get a sense of what is happening. But it is not a matter of “you’re excited because it is the next thing”. After all, Morbius releases less than a month later, and it falls on the opposite side of this list.
1. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of MadnessMarvel fans have been on a year-long run of peeling back the layers of the multiverse in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Starting with WandaVision, being developed in Loki, and coming ahead in Spider-Man: No Way Home, the pinnacle project of the Multiverse Saga arrives on May 6.
Seeds have been planted, questions have been asked, and pieces have been put on the board. Doctor Strange In The Multiverse of Madness rides the hype wave of No Way Home with an equal promise of moving forward and looking back.
The importance of Multiverse of Madness to the grand narrative of the MCU is enough to bring in almost every fan that cares about the red brand. By a rather large margin, it is the most anticipated comic book movie of 2022.
