The world is still reeling from the unexpected loss of actor and humanitarian, Chadwick Boseman. The man who brought life to so many roles, including fan favorite superhero, Black Panther, was secretly battling cancer and loss his 4 year fight in the fall of 2020. Fans across the globe felt this almost as harshly as family and friends, as Boseman poured all of himself into his roles and with Black Panther he took extra care. He realized what that character meant to young people of color worldwide and cherished his role as the iconic hero. Marvel Studios is moving forward with Black Panther 2 – and the movie has officially been titled Wakanda Forever.
The news was revealed in a new MCU Phase 4 trailer, which also revealed the title for Captain Marvel 2 as The Marvels, and gave us our first footage from Eternals.
While speaking with Yahoo, Wakanda Forever co-star Lupita Nyong’o had this to say on the sequel, which begins production very shortly:
“And his idea, the way which he has reshaped the second movie is so respectful of the loss we’ve all experienced as a cast and as a world. So it feels spiritually and emotionally correct to do this. And hopefully, what I do look forward to, is getting back together and honoring what he started with us and holding his light through it. Because he left us a lot of light that we’re still going to be bathing in. I know that for sure.”
Nyong’o did take notice of how the feeling of returning for the entire cast and crew will be, seeing as how there is now a massive hole in all of their hearts from the loss of their friend:
“People will ask me, ‘Are you excited to go back?’ Excitement isn’t the word. I feel like I’m in a very pensive and meditative state when it comes to Black Panther 2. His passing is still extremely raw for me. And I can’t even begin to imagine what it will be like to step on set and not have him there… But at the same time we have a leader in Ryan, who feels very much like we do, who feels the loss in a very, very real way as well.”
All in all, it is hard to imagine what the feeling on set will be like when they get started filming this summer. However, the consensus is that Boseman would want them to continue on with the film. In fact, just before his passing, Chadwick was working very hard to get ready to film and was determined to be in the sequel. Life had a different path for him, however.
Between his stellar art in many films and his generous charity work making a lasting impact, Chadwick Boseman will live on within all of us and will continue to be a superhero for generations to come. A hero that everyone can look to as a role model. Not just in a costume fighting evil, but as a man who put others first and did all he could to spread love and joy.
Rest in power, Chadwick, and Wakanda forever.
The sequel, Wakanda Forever, hits theaters on July 8th, 2022.