A new face for the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
When Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe closed its doors in 2022, it left behind a trail of confusion and uncertainty. While Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) soared to box office glory, other releases fell short, and Disney+ shows faced criticism before they even debuted. To call it a tumultuous chapter would be an understatement.
Originally, Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and The Marvels (2023)—which ultimately faltered in Phase Five—were slated to conclude Phase Four. Instead, that responsibility was handed to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). The sequel to the groundbreaking Black Panther (2018) shouldered the dual burdens of wrapping up the rocky phase and setting the stage for Marvel’s Multiverse Saga, all while grappling with controversy.
Chadwick Boseman’s sudden passing in 2020 shocked the world. As King T’Challa, Boseman wasn’t just a character; he was the heart and soul of Black Panther. After his death, Marvel Studios announced they wouldn’t recast T’Challa, leaving fans to wonder how the franchise would proceed without its titular hero.
The teaser for Wakanda Forever premiered at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, backed by Tems’ moving rendition of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry.” While the trailer resonated emotionally, the absence of T’Challa sparked heated debate. Some fans even described it as “the biggest attack in Marvel history” and called for a boycott of the film. Ultimately, Letitia Wright’s Shuri assumed the mantle of Black Panther, continuing her brother’s legacy.
The debate surrounding T’Challa’s absence intensified following a 2022 viral interaction with Marvel producer Nate Moore, who referred to Black Panther as a “mantle.” While Moore, now preparing to exit Marvel Studios, will still produce Black Panther 3, his remarks ignited backlash.
One fan passionately argued, “Black Panther is the first Black hero in mainstream comics history. King T’Challa deserves to be back on screen and thrive across all mediums in the way Peter Parker, Bruce Wayne, and Clark Kent do.”
Others echoed this frustration. “We know it’s a mantle, but no one ever cared about a mantle,” another fan remarked. “In 50 years of T’Challa storytelling, 2022 is the first year we are talking about a mantle.” Some fans even went as far as to declare the franchise “over.”
Despite the uproar, Wakanda Forever pulled in $859 million at the global box office. While it didn’t quite reach the $1.346 billion of its predecessor, it outperformed Thor: Love and Thunder (2022), which netted $760 million, providing a solid conclusion to Phase Four.
Over two years later, the Black Panther franchise is still very much alive. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige recently confirmed the development of Black Panther 3, with Nate Moore set to produce despite his departure after Captain America: Brave New World (2025).
Now, new rumors suggest T’Challa might return to the MCU. According to a report by Jeff Sneider via The Direct, Marvel Studios is exploring the possibility of recasting T’Challa through a Multiversal event. “With Marvel reshuffling the deck in advance of Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, and Robert Downey Jr. coming back not as Iron Man but as Doctor Doom, I’m told that the door is firmly open for T’Challa to be recast via the magic of the Multiverse,” Sneider claims.
However, conflicting reports suggest a different path. Insider My Time to Shine Hello reports that Marvel may instead cast an older actor to portray T’Challa’s son, introduced in Wakanda Forever, rather than recasting the adult T’Challa from previous films.
Regardless of the direction, T’Challa’s return seems inevitable. Whether through the Multiverse or his son’s rise, the Black Panther legacy endures. For now, fans can revisit Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, streaming on Disney+.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever stars Letitia Wright (Shuri), Lupita Nyong’o (Nakia), Danai Gurira (Okoye), Dominique Thorne (Riri Williams), Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda), Winston Duke (M’Baku), Florence Kasumba (Ayo), Michaela Coel (Aneka), Martin Freeman (Everett K. Ross), and Tenoch Huerta (Namor).
What do you think about T’Challa’s potential recasting? Share your thoughts with Disney Dining in the comments below!
