Marvel Studios has announced its upcoming movie slate for 2021 and 2022 will include the second chapter in the Black Panther saga.
Set to be released in July next year, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will return to the fictional world of Wakanda and explore characters introduced in the first film. The movie will be written and directed by Ryan Coogler, who was behind the 2018 film, Black Panther.
The excitement surrounding the announcement has a bittersweet taste for many MCU fans and cast and crew members as Wakanda Forever won’t see its titular hero returning. This will be the first Black Panther movie in production after the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in August 2020 after privately battling colon cancer.
Fans React To First ‘Black Panther’ Film Without Chadwick Boseman
Marvel announced its upcoming MCU titles in an emotional video montage today (May 3). Alongside Wakanda Forever, the slate also includes Black Widow, Chloé Zhao's Eternals, and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, to name a few.
The title of the upcoming Black Panther movie is a tribute to Boseman and his character King T’Challa aka Black Panther. In Avengers: Infinity War, T’Challa leads the heroes army against villain Thanos chanting “Wakanda forever”.
“The legendary Chadwick Boseman saying WAKANDA FOREVER in Avengers: Infinity War as Black Panther. I will forever miss this King!” one fan wrote.
“Y’all already know they’re gonna do a “Paul Walker Tribute” level tear fest for Chadwick in “Wakanda Forever”, song and everything. I’m not ready,” another fan tweeted.
“The next movie is literally named Wakanda Forever. I couldn't think of a better way for them to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman. I really wish he could be here to see this. He was really taken from us too soon,” reads another comment.
Chadwick Boseman And That Controversial Oscar Moment
Boseman was recently nominated for 'Best Actor in a Leading Role' at the Academy Awards for his performance in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. Despite many believed the Oscars were going to honor the late actor with a posthumous award, it was Anthony Hopkins to triumph in the category.
While some fans of Boseman were upset at the decision, worsened by an awkward shuffling in the winner order that saved Best Actor for last, Boseman’s brother Derrick said the family wasn’t agitated.
Derrick also explained that an Oscar would have been an achievement, but was never an obsession for Chadwick.
“[He] always described them to me as a campaign,” Boseman’s brother told TMZ after the ceremony.
Derrick said the family wishes Hopkins and his family all the best.
"I"m sure [Anthony] would if Chad won,” Derrick said.