Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Marvel Official Poster/ Credit: Marvel
The creative genius director, Ryan Coogler's “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” marked the highly anticipated finale of Marvel’s Hall H panel at San Diego Comic-Con,2022 giving fans in attendance their first look at the sequel — and their first look at Tenoch Huerta as Namor, the mariner. With this casting choice, the MCU is embracing diverse representation.
Marvel President Kevin Fiege at SDCC,2022 / Image Credit: Entertainment Tonight
Of course, Marvel president Kevin Feige was on hand for everything, and introduced the panel with the immense love and fanfare it deserved, saying “we’ve talked about the past, we’ve talked about the future, now it’s time to talk about… Forever.”
At that, a group of African musicians came out to hype up the crowd. With his words, the lights fade out and the voice of Senegalese singer, Baaba Maal filled the hall accompanying him was Massamba Diop, one of the most renowned masters of the tama. Together they started the presentation with a soulful performance on stage with a slew of musicians and performers adorned in various colourful African ensembles playing the musical stylings of the Black Panther opening song.
Then, Coogler himself came out to address everyone and introduce the trailer. But, before the footage itself started, the Marvel team paid tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman.
Mural of Black Panther/ Image Credit: GQ
“Five years ago, sat about right there, we premiered the first footage form Black Panther 1, and sitting next to me right there on my left was… the late, great Chadwick Boseman,” Coogler recalled, tearing up a bit. “Standing here with y’all right now, listening to that music, I promise you, I can feel his hand on me right now,” Coogler said, assuring fans that the cast and crew put their love for Boseman into the film.
If you were worried at all about the outcome of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and, to be sure, there was plenty to be worried about, including reports of unvaccinated cast members, competing script drafts and general unease, this trailer will put all of that unease aside.
The original “Black Panther” is arguably the very best Marvel Studios movie and the sequel looks like a worthy successor. Yibambe! (Yibambe!)
Mural of Black Panther/ Image Credit: GQ
The cast of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is, of course, very stacked. Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright and Florence Kasumba are all returning from the original film, while newcomers include Dominique Thorne (as genius inventor Riri Williams) and Tenoche Huerta (as the villainous Namor). The passing of Chadwick Boseman hit me like a wave of unending sorrow and this film will provide closure and pass the mantel to Black Panther, who in my opinion should be taken up by Nakia, M’ Baku or Micheal B. Jordan from another universe.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” hits theatres on November 11, 2022.