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On July 23, Marvel Studios set social media on fire when it released the emotional trailer for its new film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The film paid homage to Chadwick Boseman, who played King T’Challa/Black Panther in the original Black Panther, and passed away from colon cancer in 2020. The trailer showed the effects that T’Challa’s death had on his family and the people of Wakanda, but seamlessly wove that into a new story. However, not long after the trailer was released, Disney — which owns Marvel — found itself in some hot water.
Credit: Marvel
The same day that the trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was released, Chadwick Boseman’s official Twitter account shared the trailer, along with a message that read “WAKANDA FOREVER”. That tweet left fans divided. Some felt that it was inappropriate for Disney and Marvel to use the actor’s Twitter account to promote a movie. Others felt that Boseman was so dedicated to T’Challa and the Black Panther universe that he would not have been upset if his account was used to promote a project he was passionate about.
Credit: Marvel
Twitter user KobeDropped_81 (@TheDotNeedsMe00) posted a poll, asking if Marvel and Disney should have used Boseman’s profile to promote the movie. More than 34,000 Marvel fans responded and overwhelmingly voted no — with 74% of the votes going that way. Only 15% of the people who answered the poll said that it was appropriate.
Should Marvel/Disney use a dead man’s twitter to promote their movie?
— KobeDropped_81 (@TheDotNeedsMe00) July 24, 2022
However, Brynne Lortie tweeted that Boseman’s love of the project was well known. Lortie tweeted that Boseman would not have had an issue with the move, which is why the trailer was posted on his account in the first place.
What’s everyone’s problem? Chadwick expressed on multiple occasions just how much this character meant to him up until he died. His family knows this. Hence, why they posted the new BP trailer on his account. I swear people just try and find reasons to get pissed off
What’s everyone’s problem? Chadwick expressed on multiple occasions just how much this character meant to him up until he died. His family knows this. Hence, why they posted the new BP trailer on his account. I swear people just try and find reasons to get pissed off 🙄
— Brynne Lortie (@BrynneLortie) July 24, 2022
Many who were angry at the post and found it disrespectful were quick to blame Disney, who purchased Marvel Studios all the way back in 2009. One of those people was Twitter user Fabio Fonccini, who wasn’t thrilled, but said Disney could really do what they wanted.
Idk using a dead man to promote a movie is kinda low but u do u Disney
Idk using a dead man to promote a movie is kinda low but u do u Disney
— 😉 (@Fabi0Fonccini) July 24, 2022
While many blamed Disney, others defended The House of Mouse, pointing out that the account is run by Boseman’s family.
Some people here are of the opinion that Disney is wrong for using Chadwick’s account to promote the movie.
1. The account is run by his team (family).
2. The movie literally honors his memory, He is(was) literally the reason for the first Black Panther, why won’t he be involved?
Some people here are of the opinion that Disney is wrong for using Chadwick's account to promote the movie.
1. The account is run by his team (family).
2. The movie literally honors his memory, He is(was) literally the reason for the first Black Panther, why won't he be involved?— SHMeG.inj (@NyashAdvocate) July 24, 2022
Since his passing, Boseman’s Twitter has posted several things, including the excitement of the creation of The Chadwick Boseman College of Fine Arts at Howard University. The account has also honored Boseman’s life and legacy by highlighting the fact that he was posthumously honored for his voice acting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe show What/If…? with an Emmy nomination.
Credit: Marvel
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 11, 2022. The movie will see a number of Black Panther stars return to reprise their roles, including Letitia Wright as Shuri — the sister of T’Challa — Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, and Angela Basset as T’Challa and Shuri’s mother, Ramonda.
