‘Black Panther 2’ Release Date News, Cast, Trailer, and More!

Black Panther 2

Originally Published September 19, 2021
Updated October 2, 2021

Black Panther 2 is currently in production!

The Marvel Studios sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, started production on Tuesday, June 29 at Trilith Studios, formerly known as Pinewood Studios. And as of September 18, we know they are still actively filming. So what do we know about the sequel…

We know that director Ryan Coogler will return (he wrote the screenplay as well), and that the original cast (including Lupita Nyong’o, Daniel Kaluuya, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett) will also return, minus lead star Chadwick Boseman, who died in August 2020 after battling colon cancer for multiple years.

The Sequel Will Make Chadwick Boseman Proud

Earlier this summer, Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige spoke on Boseman’s absence at the Black Widow fan event, saying, “It’s clearly very emotional without Chad. But everyone is also very excited to bring the world of Wakanda back to the public and back to the fans. We’re going to do it in a way that would make Chad proud.”

Star Daniel Kaluuya, who plays T’Challa’s second-in-command W’Kabi, also commented on the production, saying that the film would be in tribute to Boseman.

“For me, what’s important to me is not the Black Panther legacy, it’s the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, because that’s a human being and a spirit that is real,” Kaluuya commented to media. “How can we honor that? Black Panther is going to do what Black Panther does, but that’s a man that lived for us. He did it for us, did it our nephews, our nieces, our kids. It’s our duty to honor that man the way he honored us.”

Fans can also breathe a sigh of relief that the studio has confirmed that they will not be using any digital effects to recreate Boseman’s likeness for the upcoming film. No creepy effects that will ultimately weird fans out.

Who Will Be The Lead?

With Black Panther 2 filming actively underway, we know that actress Letitia Wright, who played the Shuri, the princess of Wakanda and sister to King T’Challa will be taking on the lead role for the film.

At the end of August, at an overnight shoot in Boston, Wright obtained minor injuries during what is being described as a “stunt rig accident.”

While her injuries were not disclosed, she was released from a Boston-area hospital several hours after arriving. And the accident hasn’t an impact on the shooting schedule from what we’ve heard.

What Will the Storyline Be for the Sequel?

Details about Black Panther 2‘s plot are naturally under-wraps. However, fans expect it will continue the story of Wakanda after the death of King T’Challa, played by late actor Boseman.

There will be a number of new characters introduced, including Dominique Thorne, who will make her debut as Riri Williams (also known as Ironheart) has joined the cast. After Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, she will have her own series on Disney+, also titled Ironheart.

Ironheart Will Be Introduced in Black Panther 2

What do we know about the character? She was created in 2016 by Brian Michael Bendis and first appeared in print for Invincible Iron Man Vol. 2 #7, with her first major appearance being in issue #9.

So who is Riri Williams? She’s a 15-year-old engineering student and also the daughter of late Riri Williams Sr. She’s a genius who attends MIT on a scholarship.

Using materials she stole from the campus, she designs a suit of armor very similar to the Iron Man Armor. Adventures ensue, and once Tony Stark hears of Riri’s work and successes, he goes to meet her. Stark ultimately decides to support her design to become a superhero.

It’s unclear how this storyline will play out with the absence of Tony Stark, since his character died during Endgame. But we’re excited to see how the introduction of Ironheart will potentially continue some of Iron Man’s legacy. And also, what she’ll bring to the already technologically advanced Wakanda.

Potential Newcomers to the Black Panther 2 Cast

The Atlanta division of Tammy Smith Casting made a post to Facebook looking for “Hispanic Villagers” for a “traditional Mexican village scene.”

The casting call is for men and women ages 18 to 65, elder men and women ages 65 to 85, and lastly, kids ages 6 to 8 years old.

While we don’t know anything more currently about the scene, that hasn’t slowed down Marvel fans speculation on Reddit. Fans have pointed out what this Mexican village could represent, and there are two possibilities being debated.

Namor the Sub-Mariner

In November 2020, Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta was “in negotiations” to play one of the film’s antagonists, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Following that, there was widespread conjecture that Huerta’s part in Wakanda Forever would be Namor the Sub-Mariner, Atlantis’ prince who is a more aggressive anti-hero who goes back and forth between villain and hero depending on the tale.

Namor’s presence has also been teased by the MCU. In 2019’s Avengers: Endgame, Okoye (Danai Gurira) mentioned an odd “earthquake under the ocean,” which sparked speculation that Namor was making actual rumbles before formally joining the franchise.

Namor has also been a frequent antagonist for T’Challa/Black Panther. Namor flooded Wakanda in one of the comics, and the rivalry between Namor and Black Panther has since been ongoing.

White Tiger

There is also the superhero White Tiger, who has been assumed by at least five distinct persons — one of whom is a close friend of T’Challa.

The White Tiger was originally embodied by Hector Ayala, who wielded ancient Jade Tiger amulets that granted him superhuman abilities in both martial arts and combat.

Hector Ayala (White Tiger) was the first superhero of Puerto Rican descent in the Marvel Universe, which makes him an important milestone in ethnic minority representation, such as T’Challa and Shang-Chi, in mainstream American comics.

When Will the Black Panther 2 Release Date Be?

Fans can expect the Black Panther 2 release date to be July 8, 2022. 2022 will be a dense year for Marvel between their films and Disney+ series that are set to debut.

Finishing out 2021, we’ll have Eternals (November 5, 2021), Hawkeye (November 24, 2021), and Spiderman: No Way Home (December 17, 2021).

Starting out 2022, we’ll have Ms. MarvelDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness (Loki series’ creator Michael Waldron has penned the script for this one), Moon KnightThor: Love and Thunder (Taika Waititi is back directing again!), and She-Hulk. These titles are expected (at least currently) to proceed the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Finishing out 2022, we’ll have Secret InvasionThe Marvels, and The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.

When Will There Be a Black Panther 2 Trailer?

So when will the Black Panther 2 trailer drop? With production still underway, it probably won’t be until 2022. Our best guess, the trailer (or teaser trailer) will make its debut as a Super Bowl 2022 commercial.

We’ll keep you posted on the news for Black Panther 2! And as soon as the trailer is online, you’ll be able to see it here on FanBolt!

What are you hoping for with Black Panther sequel? Sound off with your thoughts, theories, and comments below!

Responses

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *