While fans and the cast of Black Panther is still jolted by the untimely demise of Chadwick Boseman honouring his legacy in the right manner is significant for the Marvel Studios
On what would have been the 44th birthday of late actor Chadwick Boseman Marvel Studios released a new intro for his 2018 Black Panther film. Fans worldwide got nostalgic and emotional on the day. And as fans continue to come to terms with the demise of their King, all eyes have been on Marvel studios to see what future plans they have in store for the Black Panther franchise. With Black Panther 2 already in the works, many fans have been wondering how Marvel might attempt to replace the Wakandan leader. Suggestions of a recast for the role were unanimously turned down by fans who’d rather prefer Boseman’s legacy preserved.
Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s Legacy
In a recent interview with an Argentinian journal, Victoria Alonso, Marvel Vice President surprisingly stated that Black Panther was already dead in the MCU.
“There were talks about creating a CGI Boseman” she said. “Unfortunately, our King is dead, not only in fiction, but also in real life. We are taking our time to think of how we can finish the story and honor this unexpected loss.”
This suggests T’challa is already dead in the MCU and they have already begun the search for a new Black Panther. According to Victoria, the sequel to the Black Panther movie is going to begin with T’challa already dead and the search for a new Black Panther already underway.
Watch: Black Panther 2 Plan: Marvel’s Best Path Forward – RIP Chadwick Boseman
With news that Shuri is developing another heart-shaped orb using the sole surviving herb that didn’t get destroyed by Killmonger, the new Black Panther would still be able to travel to the ancestral plane. However, with the list of suitable candidates to fill the role pretty thin, Marvel studios would have to take their time to ensure they continue the story in a way that doesn’t ruin the continuity.
The Search for New Protector of Wakanda
Finding a new Black Panther could prove a lot more daunting than it seems; The Black Panther is not just a skilled fighter gifted with the panther’s strength, it also signifies the leader of the Wakanda Kingdom. This automatically means that a royal bloodline is necessary for anyone to successfully become one.
Killmonger would have made a perfect replacement if he wasn’t dead in the MCU already. M’baku has also been suggested, although it’s hard to picture the titular giant in tights and doing any insane acrobatics.
Okoye is also another name that has been suggested to take on the mantle in Black Panther 2 but she also falls short of the royal bloodline test.
Shuri on the other hand, is of royal descent, possesses genius-level intelligence and can handle herself pretty decently during combat. Fans also think making Shuri the next Black Panther is a good idea, especially because there is a Black Panther comic book storyline to support it. But would she be able to handle the rigours and hurdles that come with the Black Panther mantle?
While there is no denying her intellectual prowess, the Black Panther is a highly skilled, trained warrior who would need to periodically battle challengers for the throne of Wakanda in one-on-one combat. Even if Shuri undergoes rigorous combat training, it is very unlikely that she would be able to deliver the kind of finesse the previous Black Panther brought to the big screens.
Whether Marvel eventually casts Shuri as the next Black Panther or decides to look elsewhere, continuing the franchise in the best way possible without disrespecting the memory of Boseman will remain their top priority.
Marvel Studio Examines Shuri’s Claim To Black Panther’s Throne
