- Release Date: Unknown
- Confirmed Cast: Chadwick Boseman
- Director: Unknown
- Writers: Unknown
The Black Panther's Return Is Inevitable
Just two and a half weeks into shooting of Marvel's debut of Wakanda, producer Nate Moore was already discussing Black Panther sequels. In an interview with Screen Rant, he confirmed that Marvel hope to bring the cast back "through many sequels." Even at that early a stage, it was clear Marvel believed this franchise would be a hit.
They were clearly right. The first Black Panther is currently the highest-rated Marvel movie of all time on Rotten Tomatoes, beating even the likes of Iron Man and Oscar-nominated Logan, and is breaking record after record at the box office. Marvel visionary Kevin Feige has confirmed the studio has "a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one."
READ MORE: Every Record Black Panther Has Broken
The Stars of Black Panther 2
It's currently uncertain which members of Black Panther's cast will return in the sequel. A lot of the cast will reprise their roles in Avengers: Infinity War, which seems to feature a significant Wakandan plot. Given that's the case, it would be foolish to assume all the cast survive the Avengers movie.
There are, however, three cast members who seem to be safe. The first is Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther, who wowed fans when he made his debut in Captain America: Civil War. Boseman has gone from strength to strength, and has received popular and critical acclaim for his performance in Black Panther. Given he's the franchise lead, it's a safe bet that Boseman will return in the sequel.
Lupita Nyong'o's Nakia is likewise fairly safe. The first film ended with Nakia launching Wakanda's cultural outreach, an attempt to bring peace to the broken world. She's doing this in the position of a prospective queen. There's currently no evidence that Nakia will appear in Infinity War, but that doesn't really work against her.
Finally, Letitia Wright's Shuri is guaranteed to return. The 16-year-old little sister of Prince T'Challa, Shuri has been presented as the MCU's foremost genius to date. She's even smarter than Tony Stark! The Avengers: Infinity War Prelude comic has already revealed that Shuri will be important to the MCU's future in the short-term, and that's sure to continue into the Black Panther sequel.
READ MORE: Black Panther Character Guide
We Don't Know Who Black Panther 2's Villains Are
Killmonger's tale may be finished, but the Black Panther's story has only just begun. As Marvel visionary Kevin Feige observed, "Panther has been around for more than half a century in the comic books and there are many, many stories to tell." Black Panther actually left one of his most prominent villains, M'Baku, alive and well - and a hero. It's not hard to imagine M'Baku coming into conflict with T'Challa once again. Meanwhile, in the comics, T'Challa's beloved Nakia actually becomes the villainous Malice.
Theory: Black Panther 2 Can Bring Namor To The MCU As A Villain
Black Panther 2 Doesn't Have A Release Date
Marvel's currently keeping their future slate under wraps; the last film that's officially been given a release date is the Spider-Man: Homecoming sequel, due to release in July 2019. Marvel now release three films a year, so it's likely another 2019 release will be announced. Unfortunately, that would be rather a quick turnaround for the sequel. A release date in 2020 or 2021 is far more likely.
READ MORE: Every Marvel Cinematic Universe Project Currently In Development
The Story of Black Panther 2 Will Take Place In A Very Different MCU
Given there's currently so little information about the inevitable Black Panther sequel, story details are very light. The first film saw Wakanda change political direction, abandoning its isolationist traditions. It's likely that the sequel will capitalize on that, forcing T'Challa to face his nation's history once again. Black Panther saw T'Challa tell the previous Black Panthers that they were wrong to ignore the world's problems; will all Wakandans agree?
While Black Panther stood separate from the rest of the MCU, with a cameo only in a post-credits scene, that may change for the sequel. This will be a globalized Wakanda, after all, and a nation that has suffered Thanos's wrath. In the comics, the battle between Wakanda and the Black Order devastated T'Challa's nation. It's possible that, post-Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers 4, Wakanda could be a changed place.
Disney's bid to purchase the bulk of 21st Century Fox's film and TV production has raised an intriguing possibility. Fans are hoping that a controversial plot from the comics will find its way on to the big screen; Black Panther's marriage to the X-Men's Storm. If Marvel do intend to pursue this concept, it will likely delay production a little. The purchase is currently awaiting regulatory approval, which is expected to take 12-18 months. Marvel is highly unlikely to work on integrating the X-Men into the MCU until the ink is dry on the deal.
READ MORE: Marvel & Fox Are Using Plot Devices That Can Merge Franchises Together
Marvel Wants Black Panther's Director To Return For The Sequel
There's currently been no discussion about potential writers for Black Panther 2, but Kevin Feige has made clear that he'd love Ryan Coogler to return as director. Marvel seems to be developing a habit of allowing directors to take charge of specific franchises, and Coogler has certainly proved to be a success.
We're A Long Way From A Trailer
Black Panther 2 hasn't even been officially confirmed, so we're a long way from a trailer. Presuming a standard production cycle, the first look will come about six months before the release date.
More News on Black Panther 2
- Wakanda Is An ‘Anchor Point’ For The MCU Moving Forward
- M’Baku Should Be The Main Villain Of Black Panther 2
- Black Panther’s Ending Explained In Detail
- Marvel Hopes Black Panther Characters Return in Sequels & Crossovers
Other Upcoming Marvel Movies
Next: Every Upcoming Marvel Movie (2018 – 2020)
