Black Panther: Wakanda Forever General Discussion and Speculation Thread

[terry78]

Before he passed, all people were saying was who the next big four should be and it was like, Dr. Strange, Captain Marvel, Spidey and him. It definitely would have been a fun dynamic.

 

[Chesterfield]

With Fantastic 4 coming out the same year, it would have been amazing to see T'Challa not only meet and interact with Reed on that science bro-level flex but for T'Challa to meet the team with whom he made his literary debut. Like, Feige is a smart guy but this is a Galactus-size level of stupidity from him and the execs at MS.

Boseman's words as he accepted a Black Panther award earlier was, "to be young, black and gifted". Looks like Marvel either missed that or they don't give a frack.

 

[Dboi]

Marvel takes a big L for this one.

The first Black hero who brought Wakanda to light only to be sideline/phased out due to a real-life tragedy doesn't sit well with me.

Sean Connery, in my opinion, was the best James Bond and encapsulated what the character is but that didn't mean no one else could replace him and didn't make the actors who played James Bond after him any less good in fact, some of these actors were in some of the best James Bond movies ever made. So why can they just recast him tbh? Yes, there will be some backlash but eventually, people will warm up to the new actor as time goes if he's a good actor, same with what happened in Daniel Craig's case.

Just further shows that Disney/Marvel doesn't care about the BP franchise but just sees it as a money machine just by the brand name alone. If it was any other franchise, I'm sure a recast would have been announced.

 

[chamber-music]

Maybe they can introduce a new character played by a Black male lead, and tell his story of becoming Black Panther and eventually the king of Wakanda? These all are mantles. Maybe he’s another relative of T’Challa. Also, T’Challa’s family doesn’t necessarily have to be head of the throne if they lose in the battle on the mountain.

It’s important to me and many others men and boys that The Black Panther is a Black man, T’Challa or another man. We have Shuri, Nakia, the Dora Milaje, Queen Ramonda as prominent characters for Black women representation.

If they introduced General Jakarra (T'Challa and Shuri's half brother) in the first movie then I think he could of taken up the black panther mantle following Boseman's demise.

They probably can't introduce Jakarra now as another hidden relative with eyes for the throne would feel redundant after Killmonger.

 

[terry78]

I think all of us in here that are black dudes know te significance of what BP is as an icon from decades past to present day. I get they didn't wanna hit any nerves but as mentioned before I do want him back in some capacity, as he is an iconic character.

 

[Iceman]

How would they handle this in the films? Would they have to say T’Challa died offscreen?

 

[Spider-Fan]

How would they handle this in the films? Would they have to say T’Challa died offscreen?

That would be my guess. Movie will probably be about him dying and Wakanda picking up the pieces.

Come to think of it.....isn't that....kind of the plot of the first one?

 

[BobJM]

Nakia makes the most narrative sense, yes? Her arc in the first film was “going home” in a sense, and leaving behind her spy work to be back in Wakanda. The untimely death of her King would force her to assume to BP role as Wakanda’s champion.

Plus Lupita N’yongo can easily carry this franchise as the main face.

 

[chamber-music]

How would they handle this in the films? Would they have to say T’Challa died offscreen?

I would really dislike if they just killed him off screen to be honest. I would prefer if he hasn't died but just went off somewhere. Spirit realm, outer space, another dimension, ect. T'challa off on a quest that leaves him indisposed and needing others to step up in his absence.

 

[Iceman]

That would be my guess. Movie will probably be about him dying and Wakanda picking up the pieces.

Come to think of it.....isn't that....kind of the plot of the first one?

Yeah, guess so. Although at least we saw T’Chaka for a bit. Has it been done before where a main character of a film dies without any screen presence at all? I’m sure Feige and co have thought about this extensively and won’t have taken the decision lightly and I’ll trust them with whatever they choose to go ahead with. There’s no way they’d do anything to disrespect him.

 

[Kev4000]

I would really dislike if they just killed him off screen to be honest. I would prefer if he hasn't died but just went off somewhere. Spirit realm, outer space, another dimension, ect. T'challa off on a quest that leaves him indisposed and needing others to step up in his absence.

I cant see a way where Disney will not make a big funeral for TChalla in this movie by now (Boseman).

 

[Iceman]

I would really dislike if they just killed him off screen to be honest. I would prefer if he hasn't died but just went off somewhere. Spirit realm, outer space, another dimension, ect. T'challa off on a quest that leaves him indisposed and needing others to step up in his absence.

If they can find a solution of him being off somewhere that he doesn’t have to come back from for a very long time it might work. Otherwise it would just be putting off the issue. Really hope they come up with a good way to handle it. Very difficult issue to manage and please everybody unfortunately.

 

[Iceman]

Nakia makes the most narrative sense, yes? Her arc in the first film was “going home” in a sense, and leaving behind her spy work to be back in Wakanda. The untimely death of her King would force her to assume to BP role as Wakanda’s champion.

Plus Lupita N’yongo can easily carry this franchise as the main face.

I wouldn’t complain if they chose to go with her. Top actress of course.

 

[BobJM]

I think we’ll open the film on T’Challa’s funeral.

 

[BobJM]

I wouldn’t complain if they chose to go with her. Top actress of course.

With Okoye still fighting by her side, of course.

IMO Lupita just makes the most sense.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Feige's phrasing indicated Boseman will not be recast. He didn't say anything like Boseman won't be replaced NOW. If you leave T'Challa out on a mission, since this is a shared world....the expectation for people would be he will come back since you left that door open. If the intention is the character has been retired, then I think you need to make it permanent.

I think Shuri is the most likely option. Okuye or Nakia would probably be what I would do. Nakia I hadn't thought of before the suggestion, but if she married into the Panther tribe and was queen, it fits her character well. But my gut says Shuri

 

[BobJM]

I think we’ll open the film on T’Challa’s funeral.

Though, will T’Challa’s death be part of the plot? Maybe we’re lead to believe he died peacefully, but it’s later revealed it was a complex coup plot orchestrated by an enemy of Wakanda.

I’m not sure if that’s disrespectful though to the real-life death of Boseman.

 

[Melpardus]

At risk of being repetitive, I think this is the more immediately sensible option if they're still trying to make this movie come out within the next 18 months, but there's no way they're keeping T'Challa out of the game forever for all the reasons everyone's stated above. I'm willing to bet money we'll get an alternate universe T'Challa by the time it's time for Black Panther 3 after all the multiverse shenanigans lay the groundwork for alt-universe versions of characters to stick around as long-time faces. A Nakia-Okoye co-feature in the meantime would be something I'd watch in the interim.

 

[BobJM]

Feige's phrasing indicated Boseman will not be recast. He didn't say anything like Boseman won't be replaced NOW. If you leave T'Challa out on a mission, since this is a shared world....the expectation for people would be he will come back since you left that door open. If the intention is the character has been retired, then I think you need to make it permanent.

I think Shuri is the most likely option. Okuye or Nakia would probably be what I would do. Nakia I hadn't thought of before the suggestion, but if she married into the Panther tribe and was queen, it fits her character well. But my gut says Shuri

Fingers crossed for off-camera nuptials then

 

[BobJM]

At risk of being repetitive, I think this is the more immediately sensible option if they're still trying to make this movie come out within the next 18 months, but there's no way they're keeping T'Challa out of the game forever for all the reasons everyone's stated above. I'm willing to bet money we'll get an alternate universe T'Challa by the time it's time for Black Panther 3 after all the multiverse shenanigans lay the groundwork for alt-universe versions of characters to stick around as long-time faces. A Nakia-Okoye co-feature in the meantime would be something I'd watch in the interim.

True—this could all just be the long con until Secret Wars down the road where we’ll get rebooted versions of past favorites (T’Challa included)

 

[Spider-Fan]

At risk of being repetitive, I think this is the more immediately sensible option if they're still trying to make this movie come out within the next 18 months, but there's no way they're keeping T'Challa out of the game forever for all the reasons everyone's stated above. I'm willing to bet money we'll get an alternate universe T'Challa by the time it's time for Black Panther 3 after all the multiverse shenanigans lay the groundwork for alt-universe versions of characters to stick around as long-time faces. A Nakia-Okoye co-feature in the meantime would be something I'd watch in the interim.

Eh, multiverse shenanigans like this kind of....gets me side eyed a bit. It is like when we want the FF to come from the Quantum realm or the Netflix heroes to be from another universe if they come back, do we need to make things this complicated? Plus, no matter how you slice it, new universe or not this is still effectively recasting the role. If you're gonna recast T'Challa, then just recast T'Challa. The over reliance on multiverses for things like explaining a recast is so very....fan fiction to me.

I would honestly prefer new character to this option

 

[Iceman]

I think we’ll open the film on T’Challa’s funeral.

Could be. That would be a tough opening for many but at least would tackle it head on. At least there are various options you guys have suggested. I had for some dumb reason visualised a throwaway line referencing him being gone and that being it. Glad to talk to some people with commons sense here.

 

[Melpardus]

Eh, multiverse shenanigans like this kind of....gets me side eyed a bit. It is like when we want the FF to come from the Quantum realm or the Netflix heroes to be from another universe if they come back, do we need to make things this complicated? Plus, no matter how you slice it, new universe or not this is still effectively recasting the role. If you're gonna recast T'Challa, then just recast T'Challa. The over reliance on multiverses for things like explaining a recast is so very....fan fiction to me.

I would honestly prefer new character to this option

I mean, I don't like it, but I think that's what they'll angle to try doing, as much of a box of worms that opens up. Everything feels a bit directionless at the moment, so I'm at the point where I just want whatever they do to be done well.

 

[BobJM]

Could be. That would be a tough opening for many but at least would tackle it head on. At least there are various options you guys have suggested. I had for some dumb reason visualised a throwaway line referencing him being gone and that being it. Glad to talk to some people with commons sense here.

Gosh, maybe I’m just being crass here and not considerate of the real-life passing of Boseman. I just thought an ornate funeral could almost be meta in a sense to honor Boseman/T’Challa’s legacy.

 

[Iceman]

Gosh, maybe I’m just being crass here and not considerate of the real-life passing of Boseman. I just thought an ornate funeral could almost be meta in a sense to honor Boseman/T’Challa’s legacy.

Sorry, I didn’t mean that in a bad way at all. It could be another valid option on the table I mean. It would be tough, but then a much loved icon of a hugely significant film has passed at a young age with all of his personal future and future of the character gone. It’s a tough subject and might be a good way to help people find peace. Plus all the other different options mentioned by others above also sound reasonable. Glad I asked the question here.