Almost immediately after the sudden passing of actor Chadwick Boseman, fans began to wonder what might happen to the planned sequel to his billion-dollar blockbuster, “Black Panther.” Will they continue the franchise with a new actor taking over the role? Will they pass the mantle of Black Panther onto another hero? Will the sequel even be made? Well, according to Boseman’s co-star in the film, Letitia Wright, those questions aren’t even things she’s thinking about right now.
Speaking to Net-A-Porter, Wright was asked what the status of “Black Panther 2” is right now. And unsurprisingly, she admitted that the sequel isn’t even on her radar, and right now, it’s even strange to imagine doing it without the star at the center.
“We’re just still mourning Chad, so it’s not something I even want to think about,” Wright explained. “The thought of doing [the sequel] without him is kinda strange. We’re just grieving at the moment, so it’s trying to find the light in the midst of it.”
Obviously, there is one question that can be answered. Yes, there will be a sequel to 2018’s “Black Panther.” That film earned Marvel Studios and Disney more than $1 billion at the box office and went on to become a cultural phenomenon. Because of that film’s success, the rallying cry of “Wakanda Forever!” is as much a part of pop culture as the Bat-signal or Superman’s ‘S’ logo. Hell, you don’t even have to say the words, but if you cross your arms in a specific way, everyone knows what you mean. All that to say, Disney and Marvel Studios will move mountains to make sure “Black Panther 2” will become a reality. However long it takes.
The questions about how the story and the franchise deals with the death of Boseman is still something that no one knows the answer to. Shortly after his passing, it was reported that the actor had plans to return to the role just days before his death. So, it’s likely that Marvel Studios nor his fellow castmates had any idea that this was even a possibility.
Needless to say, this is a tough topic for anyone to discuss that new Boseman personally. And clearly, Wright and the rest of the people involved in the franchise aren’t at a place where they can even think about a new “Black Panther” film.