“Dedicated to our friend, our inspiration, and our hero Chadwick Boseman.” 

Marvel Studios released the teaser trailer for Wakanda Forever at this year’s summer Comic Con convention. Though Marvel only released a few trailers to the public, Wakanda Forever being one of them. The Black Panther portion of the panel made the most emotional impact through the flurry of projects announced. As Kevin Feige announced a slew of new projects set to release throughout the next two years, the Wakanda Forever cast got very emotional as they paid tribute to the late star, Chadwick Boseman. The Black Panther star passed away suddenly back in August of 2020 after his long private battle with colorectal cancer. After his untimely passing, Marvel along with Kevin Feige announced they made the executive decision in killing the character of T’Challa instead of recasting. President of Marvel Studios said in an interview with Empire magazine that “it just felt like it was much too soon to recast.” But the absence of the character of T’Challa does not mean the Wakanda Forever cast won’t let his legacy live on. The Wakanda Forever presentation started with a rousing musical performance full of singers, dancers and drummers. The performance was followed by an introduction by director Ryan Coogler. He talked about how different his first Comic-Con experience was when Chadwick Boseman was sitting right next to him. “He was really strong and he was getting excited and as the clip went on he was squeezing my shoulder the whole time and when it finished, I couldn’t even lift my arm, I felt his hand for the rest of that day. Standing here with you all, listening to that music and thinking about it all, I promise you I can feel his hand on me right now.” After the first trailer of the movie was shown the entire cast got emotional and huddled together. This film is for Chadwick and was always going to be for him. Ryan Coogler said, “Chad is no longer with us physically but his spirit, his passion, his genius, his pride in his culture and the impact that he made on this industry will be felt forever. We put our love for Chadwick into this film and we also put our passion.” With less than a month to go until Wakanda Forever releases, Marvel just released the official trailer for the film October 3rd during the simultaneous launch of ticket sales. 

Wakanda IS Forever

Wakanda is Forever as well as our King, Chadwick Boseman. Wakanda Forever will be an emotional rollercoaster of a film and is going to be as crucial as they come. The film will primarily focus on the aftermath of King T’Challa’s death and everything revolving around that. Who will lead Wakanda? What happens to the throne? But most importantly, who will be the next Black Panther? As Wakanda Forever will be closing the book on not only the character of T’Challa but will be the end of Chadwick Boseman in the MCU. His life and legacy will continue within the films. As seen at Comic-Con and the trailers, the film will introduce everyone to a new generation of heroes including someone following in T’Challa’s footsteps, stepping up, becoming the next Black Panther, Riri Williams AKA Ironheart, and the ruler of Atlantis himself, Namor. 

“No Woman, No Cry.”

Hidden Details and Easter Eggs

• Due to Chadwick Boseman’s untimely passing, Marvel along with Kevin Feige announced they made the executive decision in killing the character of T’Challa instead of recasting. President of Marvel Studios said in an interview with Empire magazine that “it just felt like it was much too soon to recast.” The Wakanda Forever trailer starts off with addressing T’Challa’s fate in the MCU as Shuri and Queen Ramonda walk side-by side in a dancing processional while everyone is wearing white. Shuri is seen holding her brother’s Black Panther mask. This is assumed to be T’Challa’s funeral since in some cultures white is the color of mourning. It has been announced that Shuri, Nakia, Okoye, the Dora Milaje, and other main Black Panther characters “fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.”
• In the previous teaser trailer Queen Ramonda makes a powerful statement saying, “I am Queen of the most powerful nation in the world! And my entire family is gone!” It is believed that this scene may be a flashback to pre-Avengers: Endgame time since during the Blip both her children, T’Challa and Shuri, were dusted in Avengers: Infinity War. If this is the case fans are curious with how they are planning to address T’Challa’s absence from not just the film but the MCU as well. 

• “Only the most broken people… can be great leaders.” A large mural of T’Challa can be seen in the trailer while Namor says the quote above. This mural of course is for remembering both Chadwick Boseman and the King of Wakanda.

• One of the most popular comic characters is making his live-action debut in Wakanda Forever. The submariner is here, Tenoch Huerta will be portraying the ruler of Atlantis himself, Namor. Namor got a lot more screen time in the official trailer but between the teaser and trailer that was just released, it is safe to say that Namor will be the primary antagonist in Wakanda Forever. 
• The MCU will be changing many details between the comic character of Namor and the MCU version. First off, Namor’s kingdom is of Talocan and not Atlantis from the comics. Many believe that this is because Marvel is trying to portray their own version of an aquatic hero due to the similarioties between him and Aquaman.
• In the trailer M’Baku calls Namor, “K’uk’ulkan, the feather serpent god.” This is yet another difference between the comic and MCU version. In the comics he is known as the ruler, general, and King of Atlantis where now he is titled “K’uk’ulkan”. 
• Namor’s costume however can’t get much more comic accurate than it already is between the green speedo turned to trunks and winged ankles as well as having the pointed ears. 

• As mentioned above Namor is more of an anti-hero even though it seems to be that in Wakanda Forever he is the main antagonist. However, in the comics there is an even more brutal, full-on antagonist. Seen in the trailers a fellow blue skinned Talocanian warrior, Attuma. In the comics he is believed to conquer the Atlantean Empire while standing opposite of Namor. 

• In the trailer the Dora Milaje can be seen fighting the military-esque men the same guards the Talocanians can be seen attacking in the trailer as well. It is believed that these guards are getting in the way of the Wakandan-Talocanian conflict resulting in the Dora to join forces with the Talocanians. 
• The military soldiers mentioned above could be leading to the new big baddie in the MCU. There is a possibility that these soldiers are linked with Latveria or working with it which is ruled by Victor Von Doom AKA Doctor Doom. Before any footage or trailers were released, it was rumored that Doctor Doom would show up as the man behind the curtain pulling all the strings at the end of Wakanda Forever or even be revealed in the credit scene. This could possibly end up being the case since the MCU is ready to introduce the Fantastic Four since a solo movie for them has been announced at Comic-Con. Spider-Man director Jon Watts was set to direct the film but ultimately stepped down but it was recently announced at D-23 that WandaVision director, Matt Shakman, will step into the directorial role. The reboot of Fantastic Four is set to release in theaters November 8th, 2024. The four members of Fantastic Four, Reed Richards, Sue Storm, Johnny Storm, and Ben Grimm castings are yet to be announced due to scheduling and casting conflicts. 
• Once again comicbook.com pointed out that “Okoye’s muscle car contains a license plate that reads “EE 0710.” There’s nothing blatant from Marvel Comics that links to this plate, but there are some imaginary dots that can be connected to Doctor Doom. Doom makes his comic debut in Fantastic Four #5, released in July 1962.” This subtle detail just gives into more reasons and theories on why Doctor Doom can be connected to Wakanda Forever. 
• Riri Williams the Iron Heir AKA Ironheart is making her MCU debut in Wakanda Forever!! Ironheart can be seen flying through the streets in a more bulky armor which is assumed to be her mark one (MK 1). Later in the trailer she takes flight yet again with a “ juice boost that bears resemblance to Iron Man from Avengers: Infinity War” as comicbook.com perfectly pointed out.
• Who is the Iron Heir? That is well going to be Riri Williams AKA Iron Heart. In the comics Riri is a young yet highly skilled inventor and engineer who steps into Tony Stark’s armored shoes by advancing her technology and building a high-tech suit for herself. The character of Riri will be making her MCU debut in Wakanda Forever but it has already been released that the character will be receiving a stand alone project titled Ironheart series exclusively for Disney+.

• As Marvel is introducing the new Iron Man to their universe, who will be following in T’Challa’s footsteps, stepping up, becoming the next Black Panther? The trailer hinted that someone else will be taking up the mantle of the next Black Panther and all signs point for that to be Shuri. Based on the glimpse of the new Black Panther suit seen at the end of the trailer it is assumed that a woman will be stepping in the role of the primary protector of Wakanda. For Shuri to become the next Black Panther is quite obviously due to the Marvel comic lore where she stepped into the role as Black Panther for a short time while T’Challa was wounded. After T’Challa recovered he took a short break as the Black Panther letting Shuri keep up the role for a bit longer. A huge hidden detail that points to Shuri being the next Black Panther is the character’s makeup which consists of white dots that match up to Shuri’s design.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever exclusively in theaters starting November 11th!! 

Tickets on sale NOW!!