With the nation currently in mourning over the loss of their ruler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever producer Nate Moore and director Ryan Coogler demonstrate why the film will concentrate predominantly on the ladies of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Despite his passing, Marvel chose not to recast the role of T’Challa for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, with the supposed nation instead having lost its king and going the door open for another person to rise to take on the cover of the eponymous mantle. The film primarily focuses on Queen Ramonda, Shuri, Nakia, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje as they battle to save Wakanda from invaders following T’Challa’s passing.
Moore and Coogler are accurate that the Wakandan ladies will be greatly impacted by T’Challa’s passing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The women of Wakanda will discover themselves in a place of grief and exposure following T’Challa’s death, however, they will also have to take on his cover and protect Wakanda. Shuri is one personality that Coogler said will have an extremely tough time in the film, as she had once appointed her identity as T’Challa’s little sister and his bodyguard, realizing she doesn’t know who she is without him reaching into the sequel. She will also find herself with a lot more accountability as the new heir of Wakanda, and potentially the Black Panther moniker, while her mother Ramonda will find herself pulled thin as she tries to be a mother, a leader, and a defender, all while mourning T’Challa.
As for Okoye, Nakia, and the Dora Milaje, they will presumably be fighting harder than ever to protect Wakanda and protect T’Challa’s estate. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is shaping up to be a remarkably poignant investigation of grief and survival, and it appears it will examine the women’s grief at failing their companion and household member, but also explore the unfortunate truth that life doesn’t control anybody. In this case, the suffering women of Wakanda are compelled to fight to protect their homeland, but one can hope there will be recovery involved as they honor T’Challa’s heritage by guarding what was dearest to him and experience dancing in his role. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be made all the more expressive and interesting by placing the spotlight on Wakanda’s ladies when it hits cinemas on November 11.
