This article contains major spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hit theaters on Friday, November 11. Ever since 2018's Black Panther changed the cinematic landscape for what a superhero movie could strive to be, fans have been clamoring for the return of the eponymous hero. However, with the sudden death of Chadwick Boseman on August 28, 2020, who first introduced the Black Panther to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, fans have wondered who would take over the mantle and become the next protector of the Wakandan people. And now, the wait is over: Shuri, Princess of Wakanda, played by actress Letitia Wright, is the new Black Panther.
Since the first trailer debuted at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, teasing a new Black Panther suit featuring a design that mimicked Shuri's characteristic tribal make-up, fans have guessed that the Princess of Wakanda will be taking over the mantel of Black Panther. It was always a pretty smart guess considering Shuri has become Wakanda's protector in the Marvel Comics storylines. Introduced in 2005’s Black Panther #2, created by Reginald Hudlin and artist John Romita Jr., Shuri becomes Black Panther for the first time in 2009's Black Panther #5, during the Dark Reign saga at Marvel.
Letitia Wright Left in Shock and Disbelief After Chadwick Boseman's Death
The Wakanda Forever cast has been very open about the experience of working on the film without their beloved friend Boseman. Wright, who had formed "deep familial bonds" with the King T'Challa actor while working together on the first film, recently told Variety she felt shock and disbelief following the death of her friend and co-star.
"Is someone trying to play a joke on me? This is not a good joke. This is not OK," Wright recalled thinking after she learned of her friend's passing. "I just did the first thing anybody would do: I called Chad."
When she couldn't get ahold of Boseman after several attempts, she called her Black Panther co-star and friend, Daniel Kaluuya, who encouraged her to accept his death and think of Chad's family and their grieving process. After COVID-19 travel restrictions prevented her from traveling to the United States to attend Boseman's death, Wright says that she threw herself into her work, much like Shuri did after the death of her brother King T'Challa in Wakanda Forever.
Wright also noted that once Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler contacted her to move forward with a sequel to the 2018 film, she was ready to honor Boseman on the big screen by taking over the mantle of Black Panther "I'm going to dedicate this movie to Chad and to God, and I'm going to give my all," she promised Coogler. "Whatever you need from me, I'll do it."
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever debuted in theaters across the United States on Friday, November 11, 2022.