Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer arrived in powerful fashion at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con Hall-H panel. The SDCC trailer opens with a female voice singing a rendition of No Woman, No Cry and footage of two civilizations going to war against each other proved to be epic, emotional, and powerful.
Marvel Studios returns to SDCC after being absent during the pop-culture’s break from in-person attendance due to the pandemic. The last two years were primarily virtual panels with Marvel not in “attendance.” This year, as Hall-H traditionally hosts attendees, there were some tears on stage as Chadwick Boseman’s cast mates spoke about how much this film means to them. They shared that being part of Black Panther 2 is their way of honoring his memory.
Director Ryan Coogler, who returned to helm the Black Panther sequel, shared the time when Chadwick was so excited to see T’Challa’s footage from the first film when it was shown at SDCC five years ago.
“I can feel his hand on me now,” says Coogler.
Also returning for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever are British star Letitia Wright who reprises her role as Shuri, T’Challa’s sister. Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o comes back as Nakia and Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Black Panther’s mother.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will introduce Tenoch Huerta (Narcos: Mexico) as Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner. The trailer finally confirms the casting rumor. In Marvel comics, Namor rules the kingdom of Atlantis. As the trailer hints at the conflict between Wakanda and Namor’s people, he looks like the film’s antagonist. At least for now, until a true villain is revealed.
Huerta addressed the SDCC Hall-H crowd and shared an emotional response about his real life background and making it onto such a big project. “I come from the hood, seriously. And thanks to inclusion, I’m here. A lot of kids are there in their hood, looking at us, dreaming of being here. And they are going to make it!”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also adds Dominique Thor as Riri Williams aka Ironheart — a teenage prodigy who becomes a superhero similar to Iron Man. She will get her own series on Disney+.
Marvel Studios previously confirmed they will not be re-casting T’Challa. The news came after Chadwick Boseman passed away due to his battle against cancer in 2020. There has been some speculation that the Black Panther mantle will be passed on to Shuri. The last shot of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer hints at someone wearing the suit. Perhaps Shuri’s destiny leads her to continue her brother’s legacy.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres in theaters November 11, 2022. Check out the SDCC trailer below:
