Director Ryan Coogler remains faithful to the original Marvel comics when adapting Black Panther into a solo superhero movie. However, when it comes to the sequel there is an issue surrounding a character, who only appears for less than two minutes on screen.
The character in question is Prince T’Challa II, also known as Toussaint. He is the son of Nakia and the late King T’Challa of Wakanda.
In that scene, the decision is made to establish Shuri as a placeholder for her nephew, Prince T’Challa. This happens in the same film where she becomes Black Panther.
Controversy Erupts Over Black Panther 2 Character’s Brief Appearance
Toussaint, played by Divine Love Konadu-Sun, showed up unexpectedly in the post-credits scene of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, hinting at what’s to come in the MCU. However, many fans view this appearance negatively.
Establishing Shuri as a placeholder for her nephew in the same film she became Black Panther was nasty work https://t.co/64nbNY6SY2
— z (@TheeDCstan) March 1, 2024
In the comics, Shuri becomes Black Panther and rules Wakanda after T’Challa is badly injured by Doctor Doom. But this scene strongly suggests that Shuri’s time as Black Panther in the MCU will be short-lived, as it hints that the boy may eventually assume the mantle.
This criticism shows worries about where Shuri’s character is headed and how the Black Panther role is being shown in the MCU. Check out some more fan reactions:
She was only BP for 15 mins lol
— Chris (@itsgrip__) March 2, 2024
The whole franchise has been mismanaged. They should have just recast Tchalla and never killed off the character.
Sheri should have gotten a solo series to develop her character, they really shortchanged her and that’s not fair to Letita
— TheSlickOne (@TheSlick001) March 1, 2024
I even prefer shuri to the male black panther cuz she’s much smarter and very mature. She’s the best black panther so far for me.
— Black Ardent🖤💣 (@Adewaleardent) March 2, 2024
The kid existing felt so forced and unnecessary. A lot of the movie is about letting a loved one go and then it was like "you can do that now because he reproduced"
— Matthew (@82and9make91) March 1, 2024
Fans believe Shuri’s character development was rushed by the introduction of a new character to take on the Black Panther mantle.
It deprived Shuri of the chance to fully explore her role as a central character in her own storyline or film. They believe Shuri should have been given the opportunity to have her own project.
Will Shuri Likely Return in Marvel Cinematic Universe?
In a 2023 interview, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Letitia Wright, talked about her MCU character’s future, saying she’s unsure when Shuri will be back. After King T’Challa’s death from an unspecified disease, Shuri became Black Panther in the sequel.
Speaking to ComicBook.com, the Marvel actress said, “No, I haven’t, I will know as soon as you know.” On 2023’s Golden Globe Awards red carpet, Wright teased to Variety that a third movie was “already in the works,” saying:
“We need a little bit of a break, we need to regroup, and [director] Ryan [Coogler] needs to get back into his lab, so it’s going to take a little while, but we’re really excited for you guys to see that. I always try to do positive words and positive thinking, and I believe that good words manifest, so I’m manifesting a Black Panther 3, why not?”
Wright later explained that she wants a third movie to happen, but it’s not confirmed yet. So, it seems fans will have to wait longer to see Shuri again.
Watch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022) on Disney+.
