The tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman late last year shocked the world, leaving Marvel Studios to reshape the direction of the Black Panther franchise. Marvel took some time to map out the next move for the Wakandan sequel to give way for heartfelt tributes from Boseman's co-stars and friends .
The first wave of information about Black Panther 2 surfaced during Disney Investor Day when Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed that Boseman will not be recast for the role of T'Challa. Instead, the sequel will focus on exploring “the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film.”
Despite that huge reveal, plot details of Black Panther 2 remain scarce, but a new reveal from a mind-blowing sizzle reel from Marvel changed everything. In the video, it was unveiled that the sequel will be entitled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever .
This development sent shockwaves through social media, earning positive reception from fans everywhere. Now, a major star from the first Black Panther film has shared his reaction to the sequel's newly unveiled title.
MICHAEL B. JORDAN REACTS TO BLACK PANTHER 2 TITLE
In an interview with Variety , Michael B. Jordan shared his reaction to the newly-revealed title for the Black Panther sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
The actor admitted that he liked the change while also praising Marvel Studios for trying to figure out how to move forward with the sequel without the late Chadwick Boseman:
“Nice. Awesome. I like that... Marvel does great, amazing work and the characters are awesome. We all took a hit with the loss of Chadwick, so for them trying to figure out how to move forward, I know it’s not an easy thing to do. So the fact that they settled on a title and figuring out this story, I think is truly incredible. If anybody could figure it out, it’s Ryan Coogler and Kevin Feige.”
Meanwhile, Variety also pointed out that the recently-released sizzle reel from Marvel Studios showcased footage of him and Boseman together while Stan Lee is heard saying in voiceover, “That man next to you, he’s your brother.” Upon admitting that he still hasn't seen the video, here's what Jordan had to say about that moment:
“Wow. Stan Lee saying that? I got to check it out.”
WAKANDA FOREVER, KILLMONGER
Jordan is one of the breakout stars of 2018's Black Panther , and the fact that he likes the new title should add more excitement for the sequel.
The actor's praise towards sequel director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige is understandable, especially after the narrative of the first film anchored its success.
The trust that Jordan has in Coogler and Feige goes to show that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in good hands. The actor's statement also echoes earlier remarks of sequel star Lupita Nyong'o , with the actress saying that Coogler's plan “very much honors” Boseman and his legacy.
Placing 'Wakanda Forever' in the title of the Black Panther sequel is a significant move because it encapsulates the central symbol of the Wakandan culture. In addition, it also delivers a strong tribute to Boseman's impact on the Black community, essentially creating a sense of longevity along the way.
It is unknown how the narrative of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will go down, but signs point that the sequel will be a noteworthy successor to the first film.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to premiere in theaters on July 8, 2022.
