It has been several years since the original Black Panther was released. Fans of the film, which marked a turning point for diversity within the MCU franchise, were enthralled by the fascinating story of Wakanda, an isolationist African nation with technology far exceeding that of the outside world.
The original film saw the titular Black Panther, a Wakandan king named T’Challa, battling with his cousin Killmonger, a Navy SEAL who feels that Wakanda’s isolationism neglects the suffering of struggling Africa-descended individuals everywhere. Though T’Challa ultimately defeats Killmonger, the villain’s message resonates with him, and he ultimately decides to share Wakanda’s technology and wealth with underserved Black communities the world over.
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The sequel to Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has been in development for quite some time and is slated to be released in early November of this year. The film will explore how Wakanda reacts to T’Challa’s untimely death. It will also feature Wakanda at war with the undersea nation Talokan, an Atlantis stand-in (in all likelihood, the prominence of Atlantis in the DCEU made MCU creatives reluctant to include the famous submerged city in their franchise).
One of the most important characters in the Black Panther universe is Shuri, a Wakandan princess with a flair for invention and Black Panther’s younger sister. In the upcoming film, her role is almost certain to expand. Here’s why everyone’s excited about the return of Letitia Wright’s Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Letitia Wright Brings Heart and Soul to the Character
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Letitia Wright has already had an impressive career. Audiences might recognize her from appearing in Doctor Who and Black Mirror episodes. However, Black Panther certainly represents her most high-profile acting role. She returned as Shuri in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, and whenever she appeared on-screen, MCU fans knew that a clever quip was sure to come in short order.
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Without T’Challa, it was possible that the Black Panther franchise would be left with a gaping emotional hole that made the new installment feel somewhat hollow. Fortunately, Letitia Wright has always brought a lot of heart and soul to MCU projects, never allowing even galactic-scale threats to break her bubbly spirit. In a film that promises to feature a lot of sadness, it will be refreshing to see Shuri’s jokey demeanor cut through the tragic undertones.
New Black Panther or Not, Shuri Is a Strong Warrior
The decision to have the events of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever takes place in the wake of T’Challa’s passing was necessitated by the tragic real-life death of actor Chadwick Boseman. Ultimately, the filmmakers decided not to recast the character. As such, it will be necessary for someone to take up the mantle of Black Panther.
Promotional materials for the film have shown what seems to be a woman clad in a suit similar to the one that was worn by T’Challa. It may be Shuri under the suit, but it could also be the fearsome War Dog Nakia.
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Shuri is arguably the best choice to replace Black Panther. She is his closest relative, and the two had a close-knit relationship. Whether or not she dons the suit, Shuri will undoubtedly be inspired by her brother’s death to become a formidable warrior in her own right.
Shuri’s Technological Prowess May Save the Day in Wakanda
In the first Black Panther film, it was established that Shuri is a brilliant inventor. She created many of the innovative weapons wielded by Wakandan warriors. In the upcoming movie, audiences will undoubtedly get to see even more of Shuri’s incredible inventions, as waging war against Talokan without the help of T’Challa will necessitate powerful tools. In times of stress, Shuri becomes more inventive than ever, so the tragic backdrop of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will set the stage for her to explore the depths of her genius.
Additionally, promotional footage for the upcoming film has given audiences a glimpse of Ironheart, a young woman with a penchant for creating advanced weaponry who will serve as a successor to the sorely missed Iron Man. MCU audiences have long been demanding a replacement for the beloved character. The inevitable team-up between the technologically-inclined duo of Shuri and Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever promises to make for some epic moments.
Though Wakanda is, in some respects, a futuristic society, they cling to centuries-old traditions. However, the ending of the original Black Panther saw them breaking with some of their isolationist tendencies. Shuri represents the most future-forward character in the franchise, and her intellect will be instrumental in allying with a world continuously plagued by galactic-scale villains. Perhaps more importantly, Letitia Wright’s performance is, at times, simply hilarious, and she will provide much-needed levity in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
