Black Panther 2 is undeniably the most anticipated Marvel movie. Wakanda Forever however, had very challenging developments due to the death of Chadwick Boseman who sadly passed away in 2020 due to Colon Cancer. The Award-winning American actor kept his sickness a secret from almost everyone around him, including those who worked with him on set. Watching Chadwick’s performance in Black Panther, one is taken back by his level of commitment and strength that he showed in his scenes.
The most admirable thing about Black Panther, is that it elevates superhero cinema to thrilling new heights. It does so while telling one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most absorbing stories and introducing some of its most fully realized characters. Writer/Director Ryan Coogler has now released a sequel to the critically acclaimed 2018 Black Panther and it has everyone talking!
ICYMI: BLACK PANTHER 1
After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s character as king and as the Black Panther gets tested when he’s drawn into a 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.
The introduction of Black Panther and the whole cast was just special. Watching this Marvel you could tell that everyone in the cast was doing something they were proud of and not just another acting gig. The whole production was the rare instance of a film purporting itself to be a cultural movement, and succeeding.
BLACK PANTHER 2 TRAILER & SPOILERS
The trailer for the sequel debuted at the end of the Marvel Studio panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday evening (23 July). It is soundtracked to a lyrical motif of “We gonna be alright” from Kendrick Lamar’s hit song “Alright,” and has impressed fans all over the world. The trailer is somber and the first sound playing over the visuals gives absolute goosebumps, even more, if you relate the real-life death of Chadwick (T’challa) and the words being spoken by Queen Ramonda who is T’challa’s mother and Wakanda’s queen mother – “I am queen of the most powerful nation in the world and my entire family is gone, Have I not given everything?”. – This line will have your gut crawling.
The joining sound is a sample from Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” song. Performing the song is the award-winning Nigerian sensation – Tems. The genius idea by Ludwig Göransson to have her on this soundtrack is one of the highlights. Marvel connected and echoed the death of Bob Marley who died at age 36 to the death of Chadwick who died at age 43. In the trailer, Chadwick’s imagery is laced throughout and perhaps that’s what makes it the most beautiful teaser.
At the beginning, we see Nakia, T’chala’s love interest standing on a beach shore. In the background are what look like the Aztec Temples. The clip shows images of Wakanda (the franchise’s fictional setting) aquatic environments. As it proceeds Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri – the Black Panther’s sister can be seen wearing all white. She’s walking hand in hand with her mother towards a group of Wakanda residents also dressed in white. This scene teases T’challa’s funeral which could be Marvel’s official send-off for Chadwick. How he dies in the story isn’t quite narrated in the trailer. However, the strong Mural on the wall, the dancers, and Shuri’s facial expression visually insinuate it.
During the Comic-Con, Ryan Coogler said that the sequel “goes to new places in Wakanda that we haven’t seen before and it goes to new places in the Marvel Cinematic Universe”. This is quite evident in the remainder of the trailer. Most parts are heavily related to Marvel comics with some scenes related to other Marvel movies.
Some of the cast members of the Marvel classic include Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasuma, and Winston Duke. Stars making their debut include Michaela Coel, Dominique Thorn, Mabel Cadena, Tenoch Huerta, and Alex Nivilani.
“It’s going to be hard to follow that up, but we’ll try, It’s been five years since I was here. I sat about there and we premiered the first footage from Black Panther 1 and sitting next to me was our T’Challa, the late great Chadwick Boseman.”
Writer & Director -Ryan Coogler
President of Marvel Studios Kevin Feige previously stated that Boseman’s role would not be recast because his portrayal is “iconic and transcends any iteration of the character in any other medium from Marvel’s past”. The question on every fan’s lips though is who will take over the Black Panther mantle? At the end of the clip, a figure is seen in the hero’s iconic suit but it is not possible to see who is in the costume. Will this be the new Black Panther? We are also waiting to see!
Black Panther has been exceptional since its inception, we cannot deny how amazing the visuals of this Marvel are. The incorporation of comic and real-life cinematic visualization and the creative costume designs by Ruth Carter creates a much-unexpected thrill. Ryan Coogler’s genius works deserve much more than awards, he deserves his flowers while he’s still alive.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled for a theatrical release on 11 November.
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