Rarely have performers in film history assumed a character that, by the time of their departure, had come to represent not just a group of individuals but an entire civilization. Few could have predicted Chadwick Boseman’s enormous influence on the character of T’Challa in the MCU when he was the first cast in the role. Boseman, whose acting career began with Captain America: Civil War, then played the same character in Black Panther. Both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame would include the king’s return to the big screen.
In August of 2020, Boseman passed away after a courageous fight against colon cancer that lasted four years. With barely two years under his belt as king, fans of the MCU were curious about how Boseman’s T’Challa would have dealt with the fallout of his decision to open Wakanda to the outside world. As the release of the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever drew nearer after his death, fans had mixed feelings over whether or not to replace the role. However, Marvel Studios ultimately opted against recasting the role.
Marvel head Kevin Feige recently discussed the studio’s choice not to recast the now legendary character in an interview with Empire Magazine, citing the fact that it seemed “too soon” to do so. Feige has said the following: Simply put, it seemed too soon to recast. Stan Lee has often commented that Marvel is a metaphor for what you see when you look out your window. We also discussed how, despite the outlandish and out-of-the-ordinary nature of our stories and characters, they nevertheless manage to have a grounded, human quality. The death of Chad has sent shock waves around the globe. And Ryan put that into the story.”
It remains to be seen how audiences would react to Boseman’s absence from the next sequel. Some Marvel Cinematic Universe followers, however, feel that Boseman would be honoured by a recasting of the role, and would thus support the idea that he be recast. Over 60,000 people have signed a petition demanding a rewrite, and it’s making the rounds on the internet. Derrick Boseman, Chadwick’s brother, has also voiced his approval of the plan to recast the part. Casting a new actor in such a legendary part is no simple task. One may understand Marvel’s reluctance to do so, but one might also argue that the character should not be retired so soon if it still has the potential to motivate people.
Asking “what would Chadwick want?” might be the key to ending this argument. Even yet, it seems the actor made his thoughts known when he added, “As an actor, it is my hope that viewers would focus on the character rather than myself. It all depends on the part. And their performance is still recalled.” Boseman has done so much for the character of Black Panther with his ability that it would be wrong to retire him now. There needs to be a continuation of the Black Panther so that Wakanda may continue to be protected.
On November 11, only theatres will show the film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.