It has been a week since the trailer of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever arrived. It has left fans teary-eyed and filled with questions. The movie faces a huge challenge in handling a story without the presence of its titular character. But, Ryan Coogler and the team seem to have found the perfect way to pay tribute to the deceased Chadwick Boseman’s character of T’Challa (aka Black Panther).

Life goes on…and so does the Marvel Cinematic Universe. So Kevin Feige had to find a way for the story to continue and honor Boseman’s legacy. And if some reports are to be believed then they have found just the best way to do so.

The website Cosmic Circus has reported that T’Challa’s son with Nakia will be introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This son could be Azari (like in the comics) or a Kang variant.

Azari as T’Challa’s son

In the comics, T’Challa (aka Black Panther) has a son named Azari with Ororo Munroe (aka Storm). His name is most likely derived from that of Azzuri the Wise, his father’s paternal grandfather. Azari is a mutant in the comics. He had inherited the powers and abilities of Heart-shaped Herb from his father: enhanced speed, agility, strength, and healing. He also inherited the powers and abilities of electrokinesis (electricity blast and force fields) from his mother.

But, in MCU, X-Men has not been introduced so far to such an extent. Thus, the most likely route of introducing Azari could be be to introduce him as the son of T’Challa and Nakia. Assuming that Nakia was pregnant around the time of Black Panther and didn’t snap away in the blip, her son would be around 6 to 7 years old around the time the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever takes place. But, in this scenario, Azari would not have electrokinesis ability as Nakia is just a regular Wakandian.

There are also numerous rumors going around that Shuri will dorn the Black Panther suit in the movie. It could happen that Shuri decides to accept the mantle of Black Panther and protect Wakanda unless Azari comes of age. As Azari remains the rightful heir to the throne.

Kang’s variant as T’Challa’s son

MCU has in the past taken a lot of liberty to chart its own story unlike in the comics. Though inspired by comic books, they change them in a way to better fit the current MCU timeline. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is supposed to be MCU’s last movie for Phase 4. What’s best than ending with introducing the first variant of Kang – as the son of T’Challa and Nakia?

Kang has multiple variants across the multiverse. The MCU could set up a variant as the son of T’Challa and Nakia. Eventually, after a few youthful years, he travels to the Quantum Realm using Wakandan Technology. He later becomes to be known as Kang, The Conqueror, and rules Quantum Realm. And this is the variant that Scott Lang (aka Ant-Man) and the team encounter in the Quantum Realm in Phase 5’s first movie Ant-Man & The Wasp: Quantumania.

It might seem far-fetched for now…but, if you think over it – it is possible. However, the question of who will be the next Black Panther will still remain unanswered.

The Wakanda series

Back in February of 2021, Variety reported that a Disney+ show set in Wakanda was in development at the Marvel Studios. The series was part of a new multi-year overall television deal Ryan Coogler and his Proximity Media have signed with The Walt Disney Company. The deal could reportedly include other television projects in the future.

Given the reports that have been shared above, this series is vital for the future of Wakanda and the next generation of the Wakandan throne. However, no official dates have been announced for the series and it was not also mentioned in Marvel’s Comic-Con 2022 presentation. But, it could very well fill one of the unannounced slots of Phase 6 of The Multiverse Saga.

The trailer for Black Panther 2 has revealed that like in the comics Namor will flood Wakanda at the end of the movie. Wakanda series then will feature how the nation comes back to its feet. Depending on the outcome of the identity of T’Challa’s son (Azari or a Kang), Wakanda will feature his journey through his youth – how Azari eventually joins the Young Avengers or how the Kang variant goes on to become the next big threat?

All the answers shall be revealed as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases worldwide on November 11, 2022.