As Marvel fans eagerly await the next installment in the Black Panther franchise, the legacy of T’Challa, as portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman, continues to resonate with audiences. One scene in particular, from Captain America: Civil War, highlights T’Challa’s skills and competence as the Black Panther, leaving fans with chills and a desire to see him back in action.
Naturally, that raises the question: who should turn into the next Black Panther?
Is it T’Challa’s ex-lover and accomplished Wakandan spy, Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o)? Maybe it was T’Challa’s closest confidant, Okoye (Danai Gurira). Well, it seems the sister of T’Challa, Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), is the only truly apparent contender for the throne, for now.
Well, as debates continue to rage in the fandom about the future of Wakanda’s protector—a role that resonates deeply on screen and in the hearts of viewers—the memory of Chadwick’s T’Challa as the warrior king has haunting grace in our collective consciousness.
Shuri’s Journey: Black Panther Fans’ Anticipation for Her Expanded Role in the Franchise
Many years have gone by since the release of the first Black Panther flick, helmed by Ryan Coogler. Fans of the film, which signaled a turning point for diversity within the MCU franchise, were enthralled by the intriguing tale of Wakanda, an isolationist African nation with technology far beyond that of the outside world.
In the first movie, Chadwick Boseman’s character, the Black Panther, a Wakandan king named T’Challa, engaged in combat with his cousin Killmonger, a Navy SEAL, who believes that Wakanda’s isolationism ignores the suffering of Africa-descended people. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, of course, the much-anticipated sequel to Black Panther, is not without excitement, but there is also a bittersweet feeling associated with it.
This film serves as both a fitting send-off for Boseman, who tragically lost his life in 2020 following a battle with cancer and the sequel to one of the biggest movies ever made in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It was always clear to us that Black Panther would make a return to Wakanda on the next trip there, in one way or another, even though Chadwick might not be with us anymore.
Shuri (Letitia Wright), the younger sister of Black Panther and a Wakandan princess with a penchant for ingenuity, is one of the most significant figures in the Black Panther universe. With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, her role definitely expanded.
But again…should she be the next Black Panther?
To put it succinctly, sure. It is true that Shuri is the next Black Panther to assume the mantle. As demonstrated in Wakanda Forever, she takes some time to decide to carry on her father and brother’s legacies, so this may not come as a huge surprise to viewers.
The Legacy of T’Challa: Why Marvel Fans Are Still Rooting for the Black Panther
Can a single moment truly capture the essence of an icon? Absolutely, as Marvel fans continue to attest when rewatching Chadwick Boseman’s exquisitely portrayed T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War.
Anyone who enjoys an adrenaline rush will still shudder at the tangible intensity Boseman brought to his confrontation with the Winter Soldier. Boseman’s T’Challa was more than just a character; he was a vivid embodiment of strength, agility, and nobility, leaving a legacy that resonates with each rewatch.
In the scene where T’Challa goes head-to-head with the Winter Soldier, fans are stunned by T’Challa’s ability to not only keep up with Bucky but to outclass him. Many viewers believe T’Challa was the MCU’s heart and soul, and his absence has been sorely felt since Boseman’s death.
However, the decision not to recast the role of T’Challa has disappointed some fans. While Shuri, T’Challa’s sister, has taken on the mantle of Black Panther in the comics, some fans argue that it doesn’t make sense for her to be the new Black Panther in the films. They point out that to rule Wakanda, one must be a warrior without the aid of the herb/serum, and Shuri’s battle with Killmonger in Black Panther showed that she was not yet ready to take on that role.
Here are a few comments left by fans via X:
This is why Shuri being BP makes no sense. You had to be a warrior without the serum and Killmonger was wiping the floor with her in BP1.
— Westbrook (@westbrook1134) May 15, 2024
dude what are you talking about, he was in like 3 more Marvel movies before the actor passed away
— summer 🏳️⚧️ (@findyourtotin0) May 16, 2024
T’Challa getting the Winter Soldier running for his fucking life one of the best things in the MCUpic.twitter.com/QORgJal2Px
— Nine (@NINEEEv) May 15, 2024
I loved when I saw that in theaters. I've been a black panther fan since the comics, and all my friends would make fun of me for liking Black Panther. They didn't become fans until the movies.. 🙄
— Diablo (@DiabloX03) May 15, 2024
When I heard they were making a Black Panther movie, I really wanted Chiwetel Ejiofor to be T'challa, when they announced Chadwick, I was a fan, but I was still disappointed, only because Ejiofor was my dream choice.
— Diablo (@DiabloX03) May 15, 2024
Ultimately, the debate over who should take on the role of Black Panther in the MCU continues to divide fans. But we can’t deny that T’Challa’s legacy will forever be remembered as a symbol of strength, justice, and leadership.
Regardless, Marvel fans are eagerly awaiting to see how the franchise will honor his memory and continue his legacy in future films.
Both Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther are streaming on Disney+.
