Despite Chadwick Boseman's shadow hanging heavily on the film, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is still one of the most life-affirming and impactful Marvel films ever produced. However, the film was not without its controversies.
When it was revealed that Marvel would not recast the role of T'Challa after Boseman's untimely death, Black Panther fans were split. Although there was precedent in the comics for Shuri to become the new Black Panther, the MCU had yet to establish the plot line fully. Fans began to speculate if it was possible for Marvel to believably kill T'Challa off-screen while simultaneously establishing Shuri as Black Panther in one film. And even though it was rough, Marvel still managed to stick the landing through a heartfelt narrative and a litany of powerhouse performances from the film's cast.
According to Comic Book Resources, Marvel originally planned for T'Challa and Shuri to share the Black Panther mantle, similar to how they did in the comics.
While speaking on the Empire Podcast, Wright revealed Marvel's original idea was for T'Challa and Shuri to both serve as the Black Panther to defend their beloved Wakanda in the sequel, playing on the brother and sister duo's close bond. When asked how she felt about putting on the Black Panther suit for the first time, the British-Guyanese actor said Shuri was ready for the challenge. "It was bittersweet," Wright said. "Shuri was always gonna do it. But it was gonna be done in a different way where her brother was gonna be alongside her, really explore that, like the comic books, the ways that T'Challa and Shuri would be Black Panther alongside each other and try to figure out how to defend their nation."
