Talius Dike 
The boss of Marvel Studios, Kevin Fegie has addressed the decision not to recast one of its most popular on-screen characters, Tchalla in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The upcoming film which will be the last entry into the MCU’s Phase 4 is set to continue the Wakanda story, this time without its male lead, King Tchalla.
Following the death of Chadwick Boseman from colon cancer almost two years ago, there was some debate among fans as to how the studio would proceed with the character the late actor so perfectly embodied. Shortly after, Marvel Studios made it perfectly clear that they had no intention to recast the Tchalla out of respect for Boseman, choosing instead to lay the character to rest within the movie as well.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever follows Tchalla’s family having to go on without him Tchalla and Wakanda having to defend its people and its resources as news continues to spread that its protector is no more. Exactly how Tchalla dies is yet to be revealed as that part of the plot is still being kept very much under wraps
In an interview with Empire Online, Feige addressed the studio’s decision not to have a new actor replace Boseman, discussing how the studio felt it was too soon to consider anyone else for the role.
“It just felt like it was much too soon to recast. Stan Lee always said that Marvel represents the world outside your window. And we had talked about how, as extraordinary and fantastical as our characters and stories are, there’s a relatable and human element to everything we do. The world is still processing the loss of Chad. And Ryan poured that into the story. The conversations were entirely about, yes, ‘What do we do next?’ And how could the legacy of Chadwick – and what he had done to help Wakanda and the Black Panther become these incredible, aspirational, iconic ideas – continue?”
With Tchalla gone, the people of Wakanda can’t remain without their protector so the Black Panther role must be passed on to someone new. Even though the identity wasn’t revealed, the final shots of the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer teased someone new new assuming the role. Given Shruri’s comic history, she seems to be the most likely candidate to take over the mantle but its all just guesses and assumptions for now, we’ll know for sure when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres this December.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings