
A new actor might soon don the mantle of Black Panther—if the latest rumors are to be believed.
Marvel Studios closed out Phase Four in 2022, but fans were left divided. While Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) soared to unprecedented heights, the rest of the phase faltered, with lackluster box office results and mixed reviews. It wasn’t just a misstep; for many, it felt like a full-blown crisis.
Initially, Phase Four was supposed to end with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) and The Marvels (2023), both now considered Phase Five disappointments. Instead, the responsibility fell to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). As the sequel to the groundbreaking Black Panther (2018), Ryan Coogler’s film had to balance two massive challenges: concluding Phase Four and paying tribute to Chadwick Boseman.
The tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman in 2020 devastated fans and the entertainment industry alike. Boseman’s portrayal of T’Challa wasn’t just iconic; it was transformative, reshaping the MCU’s landscape. Marvel’s decision not to recast the role sparked fierce debates about the franchise’s direction.
At San Diego Comic-Con 2022, fans got their first glimpse of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever through a heart-wrenching teaser trailer. While it teased an emotional storyline, the absence of T’Challa loomed large. Some critics even described the decision as “the biggest attack in Marvel history,” with calls for boycotts echoing across social media. Ultimately, Letitia Wright’s Shuri stepped into her brother’s shoes, taking on the mantle of Black Panther.
As the film’s release drew near, discussions about T’Challa’s absence reignited with intensity. An interview with Marvel producer Nate Moore, who recently announced his exit from Marvel Studios, stirred the pot. Moore referred to Black Panther as a “mantle,” a comment that enraged fans who saw T’Challa as irreplaceable.
“Black Panther is the first Black hero in mainstream comics history,” one fan wrote. “King T’Challa deserves to be back on screen and thrive across all mediums in the way Peter Parker Spider-Man, Bruce Wayne Batman, and Clark Kent Superman do.”
Another fan expressed frustration, saying, “We know it’s a mantle, but no one ever cared about a mantle. Like, in 50 years of T’Challa storytelling, 2022 is the first year we are talking about a mantle.” Some fans were even harsher, declaring, “Black Panther franchise is over.”
Despite the backlash, Wakanda Forever defied expectations, earning an impressive $859 million at the global box office. Though it didn’t reach the towering $1.346 billion of the original film, it stood as a solid end to an otherwise turbulent era for Marvel.
Now, Marvel Studios is charting the future of Wakanda. Kevin Feige recently confirmed that Black Panther 3 is in development, with Nate Moore set to produce despite his looming departure after Captain America: Brave New World (2025).
But what’s next for T’Challa? Insider Jeff Sneider reports that Marvel might be open to recasting the character through a Multiversal twist. “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 revealed.
This Multiversal solution could allow a new actor to step into the role, offering a fresh start while honoring the legacy of Boseman. It might also reignite excitement among fans who felt alienated by the decision to retire the character.
However, alternative reports from My Time To Shine Hello suggest another direction. Instead of recasting T’Challa, Marvel could introduce an older version of his son, who was introduced in Wakanda Forever.
According to *My Time To Shine Hello, “Some of the actors Marvel Studios is/was considering to play ‘New T’Challa’ are: John David Washington, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Aaron Pierre,” as reported by Comic Book Movie.
John David Washington has been busy with projects like Netflix’s The Piano Lesson (2024) and The Creator (2023). Kelvin Harrison Jr. delivered standout performances in Cyrano (2021) and Elvis (2022), while Aaron Pierre recently voiced Mufasa in Mufasa: The Lion King (2024).
As the developments continue, fans can stream both Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever on Disney+ while they wait for official updates.
What’s your take on the future of T’Challa in the MCU? Should Marvel recast the role or explore a new path? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!