Upon Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020, Marvel Studios took a stance on not finding a replacement for his character in the MCU. In an interview with Empire, Kevin Feige went further on not recasting T’Challa.
As tough as it may have been to lose the actor, which felt sudden as he kept his cancer diagnosis private, executives at Marvel had to make a decision for its multi-billion dollar franchise. Black Panther became a hit, and both Wakanda and its characters became fan favorites. With a sequel on the way, Wakanda Forever, a decision needed to be made. For Kevin Feige, the thought of recasting T’Challa was “too soon,” despite many feeling he should be recast as fans pleaded online and created a petition, which earned over 60,000 signatures.
Kevin Feige gives insight into not recasting T’Challa
In 2014, Marvel announced its Black Panther with Boseman. Two years later, he was diagnosed with stage three colon cancer. In those short few years, he made his mark on pop culture and the film industry. He had huge strides with Da 5 Bloods and Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. What many knew him from was the MCU between his debut in Captain America Civil War in 2016 to Black Panther, Infinity War, Endgame, and What If…?.
Once Kevin Feige and the team figured not to have a recasting of T’Challa, a story began to be planned for the sequel. Ryan Coogler, the director of the first film and the upcoming sequel, sat down with the Marvel boss to figure something out. The upcoming film will honor Boseman while showing how the world plots to take advantage of Wakanda in its weakened state. From the trailer we received, it will be a mix of what Marvel delivers while a chance to grieve between the people at Marvel and the film and the fans.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will release in theaters on November 11. It will mark the official end of Phase 4, with an epilogue toward the end of the year with the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special on Disney+.
