The road to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hasn't been an easy one for the cast and crew. In addition to the loss of Black Panther's Chadwick Boseman, actress Letitia Wright - who plays T'Challa's sister and Wakandan princess Shuri - suffered an on-set injury that resulted in a halt in production. This led to the film's shoot facing indefinite delays regarding shooting.
In addition to the sequel's release, along with most of the MCU's upcoming slate, being delayed from its original July 8, 2022 release to that of November 11, 2022, news surfaced that Letitia Wright wasn't vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus.
Since Wright isn't a U.S. citizen, there have been concerns that she may have trouble returning to the U.S. unvaccinated when production resumes in 2022. In addition to that wrinkle, new rumors have been circulating about Marvel's willingness to move on with the project with her; but now, a new report suggests just the opposite.
Black Panther 2 Resuming with Letitia Wright in January
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Black Panther 2 is, in fact, on track and set to resume filming in Atlanta in January of 2022 along with Shuri's Letitia Wright.
This news supports a letter from Marvel Studios Kevin Feige back in November of 2021 where he and the studio thanked "Letitia for everything she's doing to get back to the set" and that "we're on schedule to resume filming - with Letitia - in January 2022."
In addition, back in October, Wright denied claims from The Hollywood Reporter that she had spread "anti-vaccination sentiments" on the set of the sequel.
Black Panther 2 Aims for November 2022
Since Marvel Studios has been confident in resuming production on Wakanda Forever in January of 2022, it seems that the potential issues with Letitia Wright were either resolved or only largely due to her on-set injuries as opposed to COVID-related controversies.
Also, since Shuri is expected to assume the role left by Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it's unlikely that Marvel could - or would - be able to continue on without her at this point in the film. The true test of these rumors and controversial reports will be if Marvel continues to use the actress beyond the 2022 sequel.
It's also important to note that Black Panther 2 was never going to be an easy film for the cast and crew. In addition to continuing the message of its original 2018 film, Wakanda Forever also needs to honor the legacy of Chadwick Boseman; and after enduring so much difficulty and the pandemic, hopefully, the road to November 11, 2022, will be an easier one.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is expected to release on November 11, 2022.
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