The wait is finally coming to an end. The long-awaited sequel to Marvel’s 2018 box office smash, Black Panther, is on its way to theaters and audiences. After a stunning live musical performance, Marvel released the trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at San Diego Comic-Con, which can be viewed below along with the official synopsis.

From what we can see in the trailer, the film will take place in a world without T’Challa. We hear Queen Ramonda give a great statement, obviously under stress. “Have I not given everything?” As tensions rise, we see both new and familiar faces, including our first look at Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta!

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is Marvel’s official return to Wakanda after Black Panther captured our hearts and imaginations in 2018. The original film stars Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, Prince of Wakanda and holder of the status of Black Panther. The film followed T’Challa as he struggled with his new status as king of Wakanda, a futuristic hidden nation in Africa. But when a terrorist by the name of Killmonger plans to start a global takeover, T’Challa is struck with a hard decision which could put not only himself, but the nation of Wakanda at risk.

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The Legacy of Black Panther

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Marvel Studios

Black Panther was a major milestone for Marvel Studios. Not only was it the first official MCU title with a black majority cast, but it was also the first MCU title with a Black director, Ryan Coogler (2015’s Creed). Coogler is also credited with writing the film alongside Joe Robert Cole. Starring alongside Boseman as T’Challa were Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letita Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

To say that Black Panther was a hit is an understatement. On its opening weekend, the $200 million film grossed over $242 million over its four-day President’s Day opening weekend. This not only made it the best Presidents’ Day weekend opening, but the best opening weekend for a Black director and predominantly Black cast! The film went on to earn a total of $1.348 billion at the box office, currently it takes up spot number thirteen on Boxofficemojo’s most successful films! The film was also a smash with critics as well as audiences, who praised the movie for its action, writing, expansion of the MCU, and its representation. The film was nominated for seven academy awards (including Best Picture) and went home with three. The film has since won an impressive 90 awards across multiple organizations.

With such a success and cultural impact, the pressure has been on Marvel for how to handle a follow-up. Plans were going smoothly until August 2020, when the world lost Chadwick Boseman to colon cancer. The loss was devastating, and made the world buzz with talk on whether or not it would be appropriate to recast T-Challa. Production began in summer 2021 and was the subject of multiple hiatuses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, finally wrapping in late March 2022.

During production of the Wakanda Forever, fans have been jumping at any and all possibilities of what’s to come for this much beloved hero and his legacy. Rumors and leaks have been shared and spread through the internet leading up to this weekend, but the cast and crew have made it clear during the panel that the film will live up to the legacy of Boseman. Ryan Coogler made a heartfelt tribute to the actor during his appearance at the panel.

“I promise you that I can feel his arm on my shoulder right now.”

Will Wakanda Forever hold up to the legacy of Black Panther? Audiences won’t have to wait for much longer when the film finally hits theaters November 11th, 2022!