Black Panther: Wakanada Forever – Who Is The New Black Panther?

Marvel had released teasers of Black Panther: Wakanada Forever on 24th July. But no MCU fans are wondering who the new Black Panther is. Can you guess?

Chadwick Boseman, the hero of Black Panther, died unexpectedly in December 2020, leaving fans to wonder how—or even if—the fictional universe he helped create will be able to continue. 

The decision by Marvel to carry on with the series without changing the character of T’Challa led to the reasonable assumption among fans that the events of the upcoming film would include the use of an existing figure from the film’s rich mythology to assume the iconic super-heroic title. 

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Who among the Wakandans was capable of handling the job? 

Which cast member would thereafter be promoted from supporting role to tentpole star as a result?

We only got hints as to who is wearing the vibranium armor when it eventually emerges in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever teaser, coupled with confirmation that T’Challa is canonically dead in the new movie – not, say, missing or incapacitated.

Nevertheless, here is our attempt to distill the material at hand into three logical hypotheses about what this film will contain. These are listed from most likely to least likely, yet they all would make very entertaining movies.

Will The New Black Panther Be Shuri?

There is no clearer or simpler solution within the MCU than T’Challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright). 

She has proven she has the skills needed, including the strength and, more significantly, the intelligence, and she possesses the royal seal that might or might not be a requirement for Pantherhood. Perhaps most significantly, this has previously been shown in comic books.

The narrative structure that leads to Shuri’s ascent is also hinted at in the teaser. When Ramonda says, “My entire family is gone,” she may be alluding to the possibility that Shuri’s life may have also been taken in the same catastrophe that claimed T’Challa’s. 

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It’s conceivable that Shuri is hiding out and discreetly working on the Wakandan biotechnology that would revive the heart-shaped plant and enable the inauguration of a new Black Panther. 

She could then get back together with Ramonda for T’Challa’s funeral and, surprise!, dress up as the Black Panther at the movie’s conclusion. 

Or the phrase “my entire family is gone” could refer to the moment when Thanos briefly “killed” T’Challa and Shuri. 

There are obvious canonical and emotional avenues for Shuri to become Black Panther in either case.

Letitia Wright may have offended many fans by releasing an anti-COVID vaccine video online, and she may have irritated and maybe terrified many employees by expressing such sentiments on the actual movie set. This may be the lone plot twist in the MCU saga (she denies this). 

However, it should be noted that a few other MCU-connected actresses have said things that are even more unconventional in Hollywood than Wright’s, so this certainly wouldn’t have been a deal-breaker for her.

Will The New Black Panther Be Okoye?

Even though Okoye (Danai Gurira) donning the Panther costume would be somewhat unexpected, it would be a wise decision that would put Wakanda in good hands. 

The Dora Milaje, which are even more powerful than the Wakandan Seal Team 6, are led by Okoye. She has actually been a part of the Avengers. Additionally, she is a great warrior who is capable of easily eliminating a formidable foe.

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Can a Wakandan who is not royal serve as Black Panther? The Dora Milaje would be under whose command? These inquiries highlight modest challenges that a competent scriptwriter may easily overcome.

Will The New Black Panther Be Nakia?

It helps to think about it this way: this person will be T’Challa’s successor, and it’s easy to conceive that he would have selected Nakia. The case for Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) as the future core superhero is somewhat different from the cases for Shuri or Okoye. 

This isn’t due to their romantic involvement (though it doesn’t hurt), but rather because Nakia was one of T’Challa’s closest political counselors and his humanitarian conscience. 

Her political clout was largely responsible for Wakanda’s opening to the outside world and the country’s emerging concern for the security and well-being of others.

The warrior Nakia? Without a doubt. She’s a part of the War Dogs, which is effectively the Wakandan CIA, and even though she’s not quite Okoye, she has incredible fighting prowess. 

However, one can learn to fight well, and having strong moral convictions might be even more of a heroic quality. A compelling underdog tale would involve Nakia as Black Panther.