The MCU has recently named Shuri the custodian of Black Panther’s heritage in Marvel’s What If…?. As a result, this has created a potential link to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Eric Killmonger and Tony Stark’s plot to seize power in Wakanda dominate the other timeline. Nonetheless, T’Challa’s sister is the one who is genuinely designated as her late brother’s heir, carrying on his legacy. Under those circumstances, she might very well achieve that in the Black Panther sequel.
In episode 6 of Marvel’s Whar if…?, Eric Killmonger saves Tony Stark from the attack. Not only that but he also attempted capture by the MCU’s Ten Rings. This eventually lead to the two becoming friends. Finally, Killmonger gains Stark’s confidence and ascends to the position of Chief Commercial Officer. Together, they were able to build Eric’s personal drones, the Liberators.
The killing of the first Blank Panther and its consequences
To make it appear as though Stark and the US government were responsible for murdering the Black Panther, they created the drones as a way to invade Wakanda after he did (before killing Stark as well). When Killmonger seemed to be an ally to the Wakandans, he battled his own robots. This he did while seeming to be a hero of bravery. As a consequence, King T’Chaka respected and trusted Killmonger. Following this, Eric was given the title and authority of Wakanda’s new Black Panther.
On the other hand, T’Challa’s sister knew enough to be wary of Killmonger and discovered the truth about his character. This also included his covert killings of the first Black Panther, Tony Stark, and James Rhodes. She also teams up with the similarly skeptical Pepper Potts to uncover the truth. It’s at this point in the show that the Watcher concludes, stating, “Heroes are never really gone. They live forever, as do the ones they inspire to carry on the fight.”
Shuri-The Next Black Panther
Shuri’s potential to become the next Black Panther in the sequel film, Wakanda Forever, is teased and built up in this statement. Perhaps, this hinting could build up a bridge for T’Challa’s and Chadwick Boseman’s shared legacy as a hero for Shuri to go on. Marvel Studios has yet to reveal how it wants to remember the late Chadwick Boseman. As well as the equally inspirational figure he brought to life on the big screen in the next Black Panther sequel. In all honesty, handing the mantle to Letitia Wright’s Shuri is by far the most popular and hoped-for option.
Similarly, while it’s the only speculation right now, the Watcher’s statement about heroes leaving a legacy appears to lend credence to Shuri’s Black Panther. Regardless, despite Killmonger’s grim ascent to power in this other reality, the glimmer of light at the conclusion of the episode is rather rewarding. This is valid especially given what it may imply for the future of the MCU’s confused main timeline with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Killmonger may have the costume and the power, but it’s Shuri who ends up carrying on the Black Panther’s real legacy in the episode. Furthermore, the same might be said for T’Challa in the near future of the main MCU for his sister.
When will Blank Panther 2 release?
The sequel will go further into the personalities and Wakanda’s different subcultures. However, unlike the original Black Panther, Wakanda Forever will be incomplete without Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away in August 2020 after a long battle with colon cancer. When word of the actor’s death reached Coogler, he was already working on the sequel. The screenplay had to be revised to account for the loss.
Working on the film without Boseman was difficult for Coogler. However, Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, announced that the role of Black Panther would not be recast. It will take place after the events of Avengers: Endgame, and a release date of July 8, 2022, has been announced for Black Panther 2.
