Movies - TV
[REDACTED] Was Initially Taken Aback By The Request To Become The MCU's New Black Panther
By MICHAEL BOYLE
Spoiler Warning!
This story contains spoilers for "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever."
With the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, the filmmakers behind “Wakanda Forever” made the decision to retire Boseman’s character, T’Challa, and let another character take on the Black Panther mantle. Although the obvious choice was T’Challa’s sister Shuri, the actress behind the character, Letitia Wright, was surprised by the request.
According to Nate Moore, Marvel Studios VP of Production & Development, "[Shuri] just felt like the most organic storytelling choice.” He admitted that it was a “big ask,” but said that “[Wright] was 100% game,” because “she understood [...] what [Black Panther] means to people […] [and] what this franchise meant to Boseman, as an artist, and as a performer.”
Moore added, “I'm not sure that [Wright] ever envisioned herself donning the mantle and carrying this film,” particularly because the franchise was so defined by Boseman’s standout performance. However, he added, “She was game for it and has never blanched from that responsibility as a storyteller,” and her performance in the film is indeed impressive.