This year so far has seen plenty of exciting releases from Marvel Studios, and despite some speculation surrounding the highly anticipatedBlack Panthersequel being pushed back to 2023, it looks like the return to Wakanda is still on track for 2022, says Disney CEO Bob Chapek.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forevercomes over four years afterBlack Panther’s 2018 release and over two years after starChadwick Boseman’s tragic passingdue to colon cancer. While the fans, cast, and crew initially wondered where the story would be headed next and if it would even continue, there was no doubt that the ultimate goal was to deliver a film that would honor the late Boseman in the best way possible.
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Chapek told investors during Disney’s earnings call thatBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill indeed keep its November 2022 release date. “Looking ahead, our studios will continue to deliver high-quality content at scale with an exciting array of series and films coming to all of our distribution channels,” Chapek said. “In fact, our slate for the remainder of this year is incredibly strong with titles like Obi-Wan Kenobi, Ms. Marvel, Lightyear, Thor: Love and Thunder, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and the long-anticipated Avatar: The Way of Water.”
Despite the sequel keeping its scheduled November release date, several delays and setbacks ultimately raised concerns about whether the film would be pushed back to 2023. From the several COVID-19 cases to a severe set injury that forcedproduction onBlack Panther 2to shut downfor a couple of months, it was very likely the film could be delayed yet again. But with production wrapping in late March in Puerto Rico, director Ryan Coogler and the whole team are continuing to work tirelessly on what will hopefully be a worthy successor.
While not too much is known about the plot,Black Panther 2will shift its focus more on Letitia Wright’s Shuri and Winston Duke’s M’Baku as they continue to push Wakanda in the right direction by having its resources be more accessible to the rest of the world. Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige has also confirmed the sequel will be exploring more of Wakanda’s rich history and ancestors. Fans can expect more details, including a possible first teaser trailer, to surface in the coming months,perhaps ahead ofThor: Love and Thunder’s release, a film that is rumored to have ties withBlack Panther 2.
Other returning cast members include Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, and Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi. New additions include Michaela Coel in an undisclosed role and Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart, a genius inventor who creates a suit that rivals Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor. Aseries for Disney Plus titledIronheartis in development. The sequel will also likely see the live-action debut of the Atlantean villain Namor, who may be played byNarcos: Mexico’s Tenoch Huerta.
Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris finally set to arrive in theatres on November 11th, 2022.
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