Chadwick Boseman has proven to be truly irreplaceable.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige has announced that the character of Black Panther will not be recast after the actor’s death this summer after a long, private battle with cancer. T’Challa’s story appears to be ending along with that of the man who brought him to life onscreen.
As part of the lore and tradition surrounding the title of Wakanda’s superheroic protector, the title of Black Panther may live on, with a sequel from director Ryan Coogler set to move forward, focusing on the other characters introduced in the 2018 film. That sequel is due in July 8, 2022, according to Feige’s remarks at Disney’s Investor Day conference.
“I want to acknowledge the devastating loss of a dear friend and a member of our Marvel Studios family. Chadwick Boseman was an immensely talented actor and inspirational individual who affected all of our lives both personally and professionally,” Feige said. “His portrayal of T’Challa, the Black Panther, is iconic, and transcends any iteration of the character from any other medium in Marvel’s past. It is for that reason that we will not recast the character.”
That puts to rest speculation from heartbroken fans who mourned both the actor, whose life ended so cruelly at 43, and feared for what it meant for a character whose strength and dignity inspired countless people around the world as he embodied the historic first Black superhero.
“To honor the legacy that Chad helped us build with his portrayal of the King of Wakanda, we wanted to continue exploring that world and all the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film,” Feige added. “Writer-director Ryan Coogler is hard at work on the sequel now.”
The news revived grief over Boseman’s passing as fans grappled online with the news.
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