What If Killmonger Returns To The MCU?

Fans would love to see Erik Killmonger again in the MCU and they have their theories about it. Erik Killmonger played by Michael B. Jordan

By Chandraboli Majumdar
August 16,2022
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Fans would love to see Erik Killmonger again in the MCU and they have their theories about it. Erik Killmonger played by Michael B. Jordan was last seen in the MCU in Black Panther. He was the son of Prince N’Jobu, brother of King T’Chaka. Erik had a tough childhood, especially after his father’s death. He later on trained to be a Black ops US Navy Seal. Although he was meant to be a villain, the movie gave his character immense depth, complexity and a great character arc.

At the end of Black Panther, Killmonger was stabbed by T’Challa. Both of them then sat together and watched the sunset. T’Challa even offered to heal him using Wakandan Technology. However, Killmonger refused and said a very impactful line.                        “Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped from ships, because they knew death was better than bondage.”                                                                                This brings us to the various fan theories that surround Erik Killmonger and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

1. Namor resurrects Killmonger 

Namor
Namor

This theory arises due to Killmonger’s dying words. He wanted to be buried in the ocean. Namor The Submariner is the villain or rather antihero of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He’s the first mutant and belongs to the underwater Kingdom Atlantis. The theory suggests that Namor will find Killmonger’s body in the ocean and resurrect him in some way. Atlantis’ high priest might even help the cause using some ritual. Namor might use Killmonger to break through Wakanda and help them wage their war.

2. Wakanda or Shuri resurrects him 

Shuri-Chadwick
Shuri-Black Panther

In the Black Panther comics Killmonger used a Resurrection Altar that exists in Wakanda to restore dead soldiers. It was also used to bring back Killmonger. Wakandans might resurrect Killmonger to help them in the upcoming war with the Atlanteans.

Shuri might resurrect him so that he can be Black Panther. The deep sea expedition mentioned before can very well be to find her cousin’s body. We know from Multiverse of Madness that you need a physical body to return a spirit to life. This theory becomes stronger due to the line uttered by Queen Ramonda in the trailer claiming that her entire family is gone. This may indicate that Shuri has gone to the ancestral realm to retrieve Killmonger’s soul.

Fans have also noticed the Black Panther suit in the newest trailer. It has the gold trim similar to Killmonger’s suit. Although Shuri will most likely be taking on the mantle of Black Panther, fans still hope Killmonger appears.

3. Powers of the Multiverse

Given MCU’s exposure to the multiverse through Spiderman 3, Loki, Multiverse of Madness and Quantumania, nothing’s impossible. Even if not in Black Panther 2, Killmonger can be brought back later on by introducing different versions of Wakanda, where Killmonger sits on the throne.

4. Ancestral realm visit

Black panther ancestral plane
Black panther ancestral plane

Whoever, most likely Shuri, consumes the heart shaped herb might be able to have a conversation with Killmonger. We have seen both Erik and T’Challa travel to the ancestral plane and talk to their fathers. This might not resurrect Erik but at least it brings him back on our screens.

5. He has been alive all along 

Black Panther showed us the powers of the heart shaped herb. In the first movie T’Challa was assumed to be dead after falling off the cliff. But he had survived due to the extensive healing ability and strength that the herb provides. The same, although unlikely, is possible for Killmonger. He could have simply been healed back to life by Atlanteans.