It’s only been a year and a half since Black Panther was unleashed on the world, breaking box office records galore and changing the MCU forever. Today, during Disney’s absolutely packed theatrical panel, director Ryan Coogler hit the stage to announce that the sequel to the billion-dollar superhero movie will be hitting screens on May 6, 2022.
The fan fave flick was the MCU’s first Black-led superhero movie (though Blade took the mantle of first Black lead in a cinematic Marvel movie over a decade before) and reimagined the Jack Kirby and Stan Lee comics for a new age, taking massive inspiration from contemporary runs from Black creators like Ta Nehisi Coates, Ashley A. Woods, Reginald Hudlin, and Christopher Priest. It threw T’Challa and his Wakandan nation into the spotlight as he grappled with a contender for his crown and the loyalty of his people. The film changed the shape of the MCU and the way that Marvel approached more diverse heroes, so fans have been desperately awaiting news of the follow-up film — which was announced almost immediately after the first movie’s release.
Though details are currently scarce, there are plenty of potential storylines the sequel could explore, from T’Challa’s sister Shuri taking on the mantle to the introduction of Namor the Sub-Mariner. Marvel could even include the current super rad run which sees the Wakandans in space. That might seem far fetched, but their country was destroyed by Thanos and his raiders so they may be looking for a new home. And Marvel is loving all things cosmic at the moment!
Whatever happens, we cannot wait to see where Coogler and co. take the iconic character next. And the best news that’s come out of D23 so far is that we won’t have to wait too long to find out.
Featured Image: Marvel