Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is already looking to be one of Marvel Studios’ biggest endeavors of Phase 4 and an emotional one at that.
Paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, who led the way in Black Panther as King T’Challa, this movie will do its best to honor the leading man’s legacy while also building a thrilling new story for the franchise’s future. Much of this is coming with an apparent war for Wakanda with numerous threats coming for the fictional African nation and its people.
While story details remain under wraps, for the time being, this movie will boast the usual level of star power for which Marvel has become so well known. Nearly the entire cast of the 2018 solo film is returning for the sequel, which also boasts the talents of Tenoch Huerta as the long-awaited Namor the Submariner.
Additionally, a new cast member has just come out of the shadows who will hopefully add a new dynamic to the Summer 2022 blockbuster.
A NEW BLACK PANTHER ADDITION
Variety revealed that Marvel Studios has cast Michaela Coel in 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The details of Coel's role have not been disclosed yet.
Coel has received critical acclaim for her role in the HBO Max series I May Destroy You after appearing in both Black Mirror and Chewing Gum.
TOP-NOTCH TALENT JOINING THE MCU
While Coel's career in Hollywood may only span a little more than a decade, her list of accomplishments is growing at an impressive rate.
Her work on I May Destroy You earned her an impressive four Emmy nominations for starring, writing, editing, and directing in a show which she also helped create. With Marvel Studios having its own hopes of Emmys glory alongside Coel in September 2021, her name will be one to keep an eye on as she takes on her first MCU outing.
As previously mentioned, her role is being kept a secret for the time being, but there is some intriguing fan speculation already circling about whom she could be playing.
Some rumors have pointed to Coel taking over Halle Berry's role as Storm from the Fox Studios X-Men movies, which could be especially exciting now that Marvel is officially using this catalog of heroes in Phase 4 projects. Even with this being merely rumors, the possibility of Storm appearing in a Black Panther movie is a thrilling one.
Other possibilities include characters like Madam Slay, an ally of Erik Killmonger's from Marvel Comics, or Dora Milaje member Aneka who ends up going rogue alongside Ayo.
Regardless of whom she plays, Marvel Studios has found yet another highly talented star to help carry the MCU into the future. With two dozen projects confirmed for release over the next couple of years, Coel should only help the MCU's list of award-winning stars grow with each new entry.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently filming and will debut in theaters on July 8, 2022
