Black Panther sequel set to film in July, enters talks with potential antagonist
This year saw the world rocked by the sudden loss of Chadwick Boseman and left many wondering how Marvel Studios would move forward with the highly-anticipated Black Panther 2 and now, nearly four months after his death, it appears they’ve found their path as they’re eyeing a July 2021 start date for filming, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Not only did this year see the loss of Boseman, but it also marked the first year that Marvel Studios went without releasing a single film since jumpstarting the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2008, and sources report the studio is pushing to get production started on the tentatively-titled Black Panther 2 in Atlanta in July for at least six months. In addition, Narcos: Mexico star Tenoch Huerta is reportedly in talks to join returning cast members Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett as an antagonist, while some sources report that Wright’s beloved Shuri may take on a more central role in the sequel.
Since his loss, there’s been little-to-no word regarding how the studio and writer/director Ryan Coogler would handle the absence of Boseman for the story, though Marvel Studios Executive Vice President Victoria Alonso has stated outright they would not use a digital double for the late star.
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Marvel Studios’ Black Panther follows T’Challa (Boseman) who, after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful old enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king – and Black Panther – is tested when he is drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.
The film stars the late Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Oscar winners Lupita Nyong’o and Forest Whitaker, Danai Gurira, Oscar nominees Daniel Kaluuya and Angela Bassett. It also features Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Andy Serkis.
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Based on the Marvel Comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the film was directed by Ryan Coogler, who co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole. Kevin Feige and David J. Grant were producers; and Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Jeffrey Chernov, Nate Moore, and Stan Lee served as executive producers. The film was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures and is currently available on Disney+.
Black Panther received seven nominations at the 91st Academy Awards including Best Picture, with wins for Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design. Black Panther is the first superhero film to receive a Best Picture nomination and the first MCU film to win an Academy Award. It also received three nominations at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, two wins at the 25th Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three wins at the 24th Critics’ Choice Awards from 12 nominations, among others.
Black Panther 2 is currently slated for a May 6, 2022 release.