President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, explains why T’Challa was not replaced for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. This year, Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe will finally come to a close with the release of what may be the most depressing movie in recent memory. While the Black Panther film series is continuing, the sequel will regrettably lack its hero due to Chadwick Boseman’s unfortunate death in August 2020.
Marvel Studios has made it clear that they would not recast T’Challa out of respect for Boseman before Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ever began production. Feige discussed the decision by the studio to not cast a replacement for Boseman in an interview with Empire Online. Feige believed that considering anyone else to play T’Challa after what Boseman delivered to the role was simply far too soon.
By the time the story in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever takes up, T’Challa will have passed away, but someone else will assume the mantle. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever teaser trailer ended with the appearance of a new Black Panther, whose identity was kept a secret. Despite Marvel Studios’ best efforts to keep it a secret, there have already been hints that Shuri may succeed T’Challa, including photographs from future LEGO sets that have leaked online.
The only other possibility for a new T’Challa in the MCU is if they choose to use the Multiverse and introduce a version. But at this moment, since Boseman has become synonymous with T’Challa, the notion of a variation would also touch too many people’s emotions. It’s preferable to proceed without T’Challa for a variety of reasons, especially given that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is already transferring the title to another character in the MCU.