Marvel’s Black Panther universe could be entering one of its most uncertain periods yet. Between creative recalibrations on the live-action front and setbacks behind the scenes of its animated spinoff, Wakanda’s on-screen legacy is navigating turbulent territory.
Following the emotional conclusion of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), Marvel Studios is developing Black Panther 3, which remains part of the studio’s long-term slate with a projected 2028 release. Early development reportedly explores multiple paths forward, including the possibility of reintroducing T’Challa via the Multiverse or shifting focus to his son, Toussaint. The franchise continues to wrestle with how best to carry Chadwick Boseman’s legacy forward while keeping Wakanda’s story vital and evolving.
In Wakanda Forever, Marvel opted not to recast T’Challa, focusing instead on Shuri’s (Letitia Wright) journey and the nation’s process of healing. As speculation builds about the next bearer of the mantle, producers have been quick to stress that no casting or plot decisions have been confirmed. Still, Marvel’s leadership remains deeply aware of the cultural significance this transition holds for audiences worldwide.
Meanwhile, the franchise’s animated extension faces a far different challenge. The Disney+ anthology Eyes of Wakanda—celebrated for its exploration of unseen chapters in the kingdom’s history—finds its future in jeopardy after the bankruptcy of Axis Studios, the Scotland-based animation company behind its production.
Axis’s downfall has been attributed to several industry pressures: post-pandemic financial strain, inflation, and the extended work stoppages from the 2023 Hollywood strikes. Forbes reported that “This is revealed in reports filed by the administrator which was appointed when the company collapsed,” noting that “the industry experienced a downturn in production commissions post-pandemic, particularly in the video gaming sector, which comprised the majority of the company’s client base.”
They added: “‘The company was also impacted by the US writer strikes which took place from May to September 2023, and the related actor strike which ran until November 2023. These significantly pushed out production schedules.'”
While the first season of Eyes of Wakanda completed production before the closure and premiered as scheduled, the possibility of a second season remains uncertain without a replacement animation studio. The finale, “The Last Panther,” connected directly to the films, featuring a future Black Panther traveling back through time to safeguard Wakanda—hinting at bold storytelling possibilities that may now remain unrealized.
The bankruptcy has effectively placed the animated series in limbo, leaving Marvel to determine whether to continue the project elsewhere or move on entirely. Combined with the studio’s reevaluation of its cinematic slate, the situation underscores a major transitional moment for one of its most culturally significant properties.
Both the animated and live-action futures of Wakanda now stand at a turning point. Whether Marvel ultimately revisits T’Challa’s legacy or ushers in a new protector, the next evolution of the Black Panther franchise promises to reshape how audiences experience the spirit of Wakanda on screen.
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