The film world was shaken by the loss of a talent like Chadwick Boseman. The actor had skyrocketed to success and became ingrained in pop culture as T’Challa in Black Panther. The character’s own series of films will just now be getting a sequel, but we’ve already been on a journey with the Wakandan king through four films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Boseman’s passing, much had been discussed and debated about the fate of the character.
According to Empire, MCU boss Kevin Feige talks about his unenviable task of making a decision in the wake of the beloved actor’s departure. In an interview to promote the upcoming sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Feige explains his decision not to recast the part,
It just felt like it was much too soon to recast. Stan Lee always said that Marvel represents the world outside your window. And we had talked about how, as extraordinary and fantastical as our characters and stories are, there’s a relatable and human element to everything we do. The world is still processing the loss of Chad. And Ryan poured that into the story.”
Some fans have voiced their opinion that they would be fine with T’Challa being recast because the character has more stories to tell, and feel even Boseman would’ve wanted the character to live on. Others would agree with Feige and feel Boseman is cemented as the character. Feige would add that he and director Ryan Coogler would discuss the direction in which to proceed, “The conversations were entirely about, yes, ‘What do we do next?’ And how could the legacy of Chadwick – and what he had done to help Wakanda and the Black Panther become these incredible, aspirational, iconic ideas – continue? That’s what it was all about.”
The trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever does hint at someone taking up the mantle and suiting up, but it is currently not revealed who it is. In the comics, T’Challa’s sister, Shuri, would eventually don the Black Panther suit. However, there has yet to be a formal announcement if they will be heading in that direction.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever opens in theaters on November 11.