Black Panther Sequel: A Movie Without its Star

After the Black Panther released in 2018, fans have been eagerly awaiting Chadwick Boseman’s return for the sequel. Black Panther broke records of becoming the highest- grossing superhero film since Incredibles 2 in 2018. However, after the passing of Boseman in 2020, fans were left both sorrowful and questioning who could replace Black Panther? 

The cast of Black Panther responded to Boseman’s death on social media with fond memories of working with him along with remorseful goodbyes. Angela Bassett, who plays T’Challa’s mother, posted on Instagram, “It was meant to be for Chadwick and me to be connected, for us to be family.” Sterling K. Brown, who plays T’Chaka’s younger brother, tweets, “I don’t have words. Rest In Peace, Bruh. Thank you for all you did while you were here. Thank you for being a friend. You are loved. You will be missed.” As fans expressed their grief over the passing of Boseman, the future of the sequel was also questioned. Lots of fans wished for Black Panther to not be recast as no one could replace Boseman. 

Soon after, Boseman’s death led to a change in production around May 2021. Marvel Studios decided to honor the legacy of Boseman by not replacing or creating a digital replica of T’Challa. The new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever released on October 3, 2022. The trailer showed the funeral of T’Challa as a legacy to Boseman. In addition, a clip of someone wearing a black panther suit was featured, suggesting a new Black Panther. Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri, is speculated to be the new Black Panther in the trailer; however neither Wright nor the cast confirmed any of the rumors. 

At the celebrity movie premiere, lots of the cast and attendees dressed in white clothes to honor the life of Boseman. The movie is set to be released in theaters on November 11, 2022. The question of how the Black Panther sequel will go without Boseman will soon be answered.

By Kayla Beasley