Black Panther 2: Kevin Feige confirms Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa will not be recast

Kevin Feige has confirmed that Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa will not be replaced for Marvel’s Black Panther sequel.

It’s been a rough year all around, and one of the most shocking tragedies of 2020 was undoubtedly the passing of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman in August. Boseman’s fans and colleagues have been mourning him for months, and Disney+ even released a tribute special to honor his memory.

And although it’s difficult to picture the franchise continuing without him, Marvel Studios revealed earlier this month that it had plans to begin filming Black Panther 2 in July of next year. Most fans didn’t expect or want the studio to replace Boseman by recasting his character, but it was still a relief when Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed during Disney Investor Day that the story would continue without giving another actor the role of T’Challa.

“Black Panther 2, opening July 8, 2022, is being written & directed by Ryan Coogler,” Disney wrote on its official Twitter account. “Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy & portrayal of T’Challa, @MarvelStudios will not recast the character, but will explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film.”

Marvel has yet to explain how it might handle T’Challa’s character moving forward, though it has been suggested that another character, like Shuri, might take up the Black Panther title in his place. This is something that happens in Marvel Comics, but whether actress Letitia Wright would be interested in taking on a bigger role remains to be seen.

Whatever the studio decides to do, it’s going to be tricky carrying this franchise forward without Boseman. Hopefully, the decisions they make will properly honor his legacy.

Black Panther 2 is expected to begin filming in July 2021.