Even though Chadwick Boseman (the Emmy-nominated actor who originated the role of T’Challa the Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) passed away in 2020 after a four-year-long battle with colon cancer, fans are still debating whether or not the actor’s character T’Challa should be recast. Now, Marvel Studios has made the decision official — and Black Panther fans are not happy.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the sequel to the 2018 Marvel Studios Black Panther movie, and it is being directed by director Ryan Coogler. A new trailer for the Wakanda-based sequel (in which Falcon and the Winter Soldier actor Anthony Mackie may or may not have a cameo) was recently shown to Marvel fans for the first time over social media.
WAKANDA FOREVER pic.twitter.com/ozNVPsFQRm
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) July 24, 2022
It was revealed in the trailer that T’Challa is passing away in the Marvel Cinematic Universe storyline, just like the actor who played him.
Wakanda’s new enemy Namor was also shown in the Marvel Studios trailer, as was the underwater world Atlantis. Apparently, the Black Panther franchise is heading underwater just like the new addition to the Avatar franchise!
Despite the other reveals in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer from Marvel, fans have fixated on T’Challa’s death above all else.
“T’Challa is just as important as Steve Rogers [Captain America], Tony Stark & Thor. If you know the comics, you’re aware of this. Ending his story arc prematurely isn’t just a bad idea, it’s the biggest attack on an A-list superhero in MCU history,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
T’Challa is just as important as Steve Rogers, Tony Stark & Thor. If you know the comics, you’re aware of this. Ending his story arc prematurely isn’t just a bad idea, it’s the biggest attack on an A-list superhero in MCU history#BlackPantherWakandaForever#RecastTChalla
— Brian 🇨🇩🇵🇸 (@encrypted_bml) July 23, 2022
Another fan pointed out in the Tweet shown below that Chadwick Boseman’s brother Derrick Boseman has expressed support for the recasting of the Marvel character T’Challa.
https://twitter.com/dontcallmecorn/status/1550934162655350784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1550934162655350784%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Finsidethemagic.net%2F2022%2F07%2Fblack-panther-wakanda-forever-boycott-th1%2F
“T’Challa did not die,” another fan Tweeted. “They’re killing him off for pure profit. It’s gross. Wakanda was supposed to be black escapism. But now it’s a failed state with civil wars, multiple invasions and a dead royal family.” The hashtag #RecastTChalla is being used by the fans who are offended by Marvel’s choice.
Were you hoping to see more of the Black Panther T’Challa, who was meant to be the king of Wakanda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, or did you feel uncomfortable with the idea of seeing a new actor play the role?