In the midst of all their announcements, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, answered one of the biggest questions: they simply will not replace Chadwick Boseman.
Making it clear that the actor delivered an emblematic performance, which goes beyond any existing adaptation of the character, Feige stipulated that Black Panther 2 will continue to focus on the rest of the characters who live in Wakanda and who already appeared in the first film.
“Chadwick Boseman was an immensely talented actor and an inspirational individual who affected all of our lives professionally and personally. His portrayal of T’Challa the Black Panther is iconic and transcends iteration of the character in any other medium from Marvel’s past. And it’s for that reason that we will not recast the character. However, to honour the legacy that Chad helped us build through his portrayal of the king of Wakanda, we want to continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film.”
Kevin Feige also remarked that director Ryan Coogler is currently developing the script with this new approach, as all the original plans with Boseman had to be scrapped. Now it will be the task of Shuri and company to take over and move forward with the franchise.
For now, Black Panther 2 is considering a premiering in July 2022.
