Marvel to recast Black Panther using a familiar MCU face

A new rumour suggests how Marvel might be using Black Panther in future MCU films.

Black Panther was a hit success when it came out in 2018, with the characters and story receiving high praise from critics and fans.

Similarly, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also received lots of recognition. However, the film had to be reworked due to lead actor Chadwick Boseman’s death of colon cancer in 2020.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever released in 2022 to much critical acclaim.

At the time, Marvel didn't opt to retain the character but instead changed direction with a new lead, a decision that critics felt was the right move.

Now, a new rumour claims that Marvel may be using a familiar MCU face to use T’Challa in future MCU movies.

While Shuri took up the mantle of Black Panther in Wakanda Forever, the film also introduced Toussaint, the son of T’Challa and Nakia into the Marvel universe.

Journalist Jeff Sneider has suggested Marvel is looking to recast T’Challa in future films. However, he was unable to confirm if this meant for Black Panther 3 and Avengers: Doomsday, or rather for further films later down the line.

Industry insider @MyTimeToShineH later shared that it’s “not a recast it's an older version of his son from Black Panther Wakanda Forever”.

It's not a recast it's an older version of his son from Black Panther Wakanda Forever https://t.co/he5RmNhu05

— MyTimeToShineHello (@MyTimeToShineH) January 8, 2025

Obviously, Marvel and Disney can’t recast the same T’Challa that appeared in Black Panther. That specific character canonically died in Wakanda Forever.

However, another character can take up the mantle, as Shuri did in Wakanda Forever.

Considering the introduction of his son, it makes sense for that character to eventually take the crown over from his father. While that’s unlikely to happen in any films coming soon, it’s certainly something we could see happening eventually.

In related news, Black Panther 3 has allegedly found its villain in Achebe, who could be played by Denzel Washington. At least, that’s according to MyTimeToShine. We’ll have to wait for official confirmation from Marvel on that one.

Black Panther 3 is currently unconfirmed by Disney, but director Ryan Coogler and Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige are reported to be in discussions about the third entry to the series.