Marvel Head Kevin Feige Talks About BLACK PANTHER II and Moving Forward Without Chadwick Boseman

Black Panther opened up in theatres in 2018 to a huge response. The film was fantastic, boasting an incredible cast and a great story that gave way to the final chapters of the Infinity Saga, with Black Panther playing a big role in the films. But sadly, in 2020 we lost the film’s star, Chadwick Boseman, to colon cancer, and it’s been a question on everyone’s minds how the MCU will proceed with the Black Panther storyline.

In a recent interview with Deadline, MCU head Kevin Feige gave an update on the Black Panther sequel, saying:

So much of the comics and that first movie is the world of Wakanda. Wakanda is a place to further explore with characters and different subcultures. This was always and initially the primary focus of the next story. We’re not going to have a CG Chadwick and we’re not recasting T’Challa. Ryan Coogler is working very hard right now on the script with all the respect and love and genius that he has, which gives us great solace, so it was always about furthering the mythology and the inspiration of Wakanda. There’s also the task of honoring and respecting the ongoing learnings and teachings from Chad as well.

It’s so sad to have lost such a wonderful actor, and I appreciate that they are looking for the best way to honor him. It’s not an easy job. It has been rumored that T’Challa’s younger sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) could be stepping into the role of ruler of Wakanda, or possibly Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger could return. It was be interesting to see how it all pans out. I love Wakanda and the legacy left behind by Boseman, and I hope the next film will do it justice.

Black Panther II is in pre-production and is currently slated for July 8th, 2022 release.