'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever': Everything we know so far
Fans are slowly learning more details about the highly anticipated "Black Panther" sequel, "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
Ryan Coogler is returning to write and direct the follow-up to the 2018 Oscar-winning global phenomenon, which earned more than $1.3 billion worldwide. The film, released in February 2018, was considered groundbreaking for Marvel with its Black superhero and predominantly Black cast at the forefront.
Several stars from the first film will be back for the sequel and have shared their excitement for the upcoming film.
Marvel Cinematic Universe fans may also be interested in how the sequel will honor late actor Chadwick Boseman's legacy. Boseman, who died of cancer at age 43 in August 2020, famously played King T'Challa, or Black Panther, in the 2018 blockbuster film.
Read on to learn more about "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
What is "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" about?
The official synopsis for the sequel reads: "Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda."
Where can I watch the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" trailer?
The official teaser for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" debuted at San Diego Comic-Con in July.
The two-minute teaser is set to Tems' cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry" and features only one spoken line from Bassett's Queen Ramonda. "I am queen of the most powerful nation in the world, and my entire family is gone," she emotionally declares. "Have I not given everything?"
The official trailer for the film was released in early October.
When is "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" out in theaters?
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" will open in U.S. theaters on Nov. 11, 2022.
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" cast: Who is returning for the sequel?
Many stars of the first film are returning for the sequel; Bassett is reprising her role as Queen Ramonda, Wright is reprising her role as Shuri, Duke is reprising his role as M’Baku, Gurira is reprising her role as Okoye, Kasumba is reprising her role as Ayo, Nyong'o is back as Nakia and Freeman is back as Everett K. Ross.
A slew of new talent is also slated to appear in the film, including Tenoch Huerta, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livinalli.
What will happen to Chadwick Boseman's character in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?"
Marvel Studios previously revealed that Boseman's character, King T'Challa, or Black Panther, will not be recast.
"Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy & portrayal of T’Challa, @MarvelStudios will not recast the character, but will explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film," the studio shared in 2020.
Coogler previously opened up on how "difficult" it was moving forward with the film after Boseman's tragic death.
"I know Chad wouldn’t have wanted us to stop," Coogler said in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter last year. "He was somebody who was so about the collective. 'Black Panther,' that was his movie. He was hired to play that role before anybody else was even thought of, before I was hired, before any of the actresses were hired."
"It would be harder for me to stop," Coogler added. "Truthfully. I’d feel him yelling at me, like, ‘What are you doing?’ So you keep going."
Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige also spoke about moving forward with the sequel in light of Boseman's death during an interview last year with Variety.
"It’s clearly very emotional without Chad, but everyone is also very excited to bring the world of Wakanda back to the public and back to the fans," he said. "We’re going to do it in a way that would make Chad proud."
Is Killmonger back in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?"
Michael B. Jordan's villain Erik Killmonger died at the end of "Black Panther," but that hasn't stopped fans from speculating he'll make an appearance in the sequel.
When asked about his character and Killmonger's future in an interview with BBC Radio 1 last year, Jordan remained mum.
"I don't know what Marvel has up their sleeves, so I can't let them down nor get them excited with any information that may or may not come out of my mouth, that I may or may not have said ... and that's all I can say if I said anything at all," he said.
Who is Namor the Sub-Mariner in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" and the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
Mexican actor Huerta will appear as the mutant Namor the Sub-Mariner in "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
At Comic-Con in San Diego in July, Huerta spoke about his excitement to bring Namor to the big screen, describing it as an "honor" to take on the role and join the cast.
Fans were able to catch a few glimpses of the half-human and half-Atlantean leader of Atlantis in the teaser for the film.
"Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" soundtrack: Who is featured?
Three songs are featured on the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Prologue" EP.
The track list includes Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems' cover of Bob Marley and the Wailers' "No Woman, No Cry," "A Body, A Coffin” by Amaarae, and "Soy" by Santa Fe Klan.
Where can you watch the first "Black Panther?"
You can stream "Black Panther" on Disney+. A subscription to Disney+ costs $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year, and a bundle consisting of Disney+, Hulu and ESPN+ costs $13.99 per month.
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