Black Panther 2 is going to be a huge movie for Marvel Studios. Following the loss of legend Chadwick Boseman as the titular Wakandan king, the movie is sure to veer in a new direction. Here’s everything that we know thus far.
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Black Panther’s 2018 release was the reset we needed when it comes to superhero movies, introducing what soon became a monumental movie for the MCU.
Following the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman, plans for the sequel have gradually begun to take shape, with new production details being shared.
When will Black Panther 2 be released?
Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe has unfortunately been pushed back due to the ongoing health crisis. However, as a part of the MCU’s Phase Five, any news on the movie’s delay is yet to be announced, with the release date still scheduled for July 8, 2022.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, production is set to begin on the movie in July 2021 for around six months. Filming will take place in Atlanta, Georgia.
One source suggested that the focus right now is on the multiple new TV series being introduced instead, which will be released on Disney+.
Who will be starring in Black Panther 2?
Sadly, Chadwick Boseman will be unable to return to his title role in this sequel as he passed away in August 2020, after having being diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016.
Out of respect to Boseman, Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige has confirmed at Disney’s Investor Day conference that the iconic role will not be recast in the upcoming sequel, but will instead explore the world of Wakanda and the fantastic cast of characters that reside there.
He stated that “his portrayal of T’Challa, the Black Panther, is iconic, and transcends any iteration of the character from any other medium in Marvel’s past.”
It was also confirmed that Boseman would not be remade using CGI for the movie either, with Marvel studios executive Victoria Alonso saying: “There’s only one Chadwick and he’s not with us. Our king, unfortunately, has died in real life, not just in fiction…”
That being said, the returning cast is expected to include Letitia Wright as Shuri – who could potentially take on the Black Panther mantle – along with Danai Gurira as Okoye, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, and Michael B Jordan as Erik Killmonger.
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Casting for one of the movie’s villains was also revealed recently, with Narcos: Mexico star Tenoch Huerta in talks to join the cast of Ryan Coogler’s latest project as “one of the antagonists”.
Coogler will, of course, be returning to direct the sequel, following Black Panther’s major success upon its release.
Posthumous Marvel intro
As a tribute to the late Boseman, Marvel has redesigned their Black Panther intro to feature the actor as Black Panther.
Released on what would have been the actor’s 44th birthday, this is a touching tribute to the star that fans, and those who knew Boseman will admire.
Long live the King. #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/uW1KisOkTq
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) November 29, 2020
What will happen?
It’s likely that a big focus of this movie could revolve around Shuri stepping up to take on the Black Panther mantle, as previously mentioned, but Marvel is yet to confirm whether this will happen or not.
However, with a new villain set to be introduced too, it seems there will be even more challenges to be faced in Wakanda.
Executive Victoria Alonso has also spoken about what’s in store for the movie. “We are taking a little time to see how we return to history, and what we do to honor this chapter of what has happened to us that was so unexpected, so painful, so terrible, really,” she said.
“…We have to think carefully about what we are going to do, and how, and think about how we are going to honor the franchise.”
Black Panther 2 is expected to be out on July 8, 2022.