What is the more significant role Princess Shuri has in the Black Panther Wakanda Forever?
Chadwick Boseman’s death hit the world for six. We did a piece on why we didn’t address it here on the blog. No one expected such a legendary actor to pass at just 44. At the time, it was deemed unacceptable to ask what would happen with the Black Panther sequel without its leading man so soon after his passing. Almost a year has passed, and it is still hard to come to terms with. At the Disney Investor Day in December, just a few months after Chad’s passing, Kevin Fiege announced that the character of T’Challa would not be recast. This sent fans into a spin, speculating about the role the character’s sister, Shuri, would now play.
The Princess of Wakanda quickly became a fan favourite with “what are those?!” and for being an overall badass lady. In Avengers: Infinity War, she even outsmarts Bruce Banner, who is one of the most intelligent characters in the MCU outside of Tony Stark, and Peter Parker.
With Black Panther Wakanda Forever now in production, we’re beginning to get trim details that we’ve been piecing together regarding the fate of T’Challa and how Shuri fits into it. So, that’s what we will discuss in this post. After all, it is women’s week. So, let’s look at the information that has come out and what we think about it.
Top Secret!
The MCU has always been particular because there are very few leaks. As a result, many of the things we see in Avengers Endgame surprised everyone, including the two significant deaths. Again, this is because plot details are kept super under wraps. Another example of this is the role Evan Peters played in WandaVision. While fans speculated who he was playing and were at times correct, it still came as a shock because people were right.
Though, there have been a few times where actors have slipped up at fan events or in interviews. Looking at you, Mark Ruffalo and Tom Holland! Not to mention, there have been set photos taken by noisy paparazzi from shows like the upcoming Hawkeye, filmed in the open.
Back To Shuri And The Emotion That Will Be Felt
Shuri became such a beloved part of the first Black Panther that to give her a more significant role in the sequel makes a lot of sense. While it is unclear if she would take up the Black Panther mantle in her brother’s place, it would make the most sense. After all, she takes up the moniker in the comics.
However, we don’t know whether this is the path Ryan Coogler has chosen to take. Though, we know Shuri will have a lot to deal with. Especially if the tiny leak from the set has us questioning what’s going on. The MCU Direct reported a couple of days ago that a video from the set reveals five columns containing Wakandan text. Someone even went a step further to check the translation. It allegedly reads:
REST IN POWER, KING TCHALLA, OUR HERO, TWAS AN HONOR, WAKANDA FOREVER
Alleged translation of column text from Black Panther Wakanda Forever set
The cast has said numerous times that the film will honour Chadwick in several ways. Angela Bassett, who plays Queen Mother Ramonda, told Entertainment Weekly that the script had undergone five rewrites/versions.
Going over what the alleged text could mean, it’s possible that if T’Challa had passed, it would’ve happened before the movie’s events or during the early stages. This could mean that Shuri is made a monarch because her brother had no children of his own. She was his heir. Though, something tells us that it will not go down the way we think.
Winston Duke, who plays the hilarious M’Baku, has said the film would be emotional, as quoted by the MCU Direct.
The film may dive into how Shuri feels about having to take on a role she never expected to inherit.
The Royal Family And Allies Mourn
If it is true that T’Challa is mentioned to have died, then it will hit his family, which includes his friends, incredibly hard. Shuri was close to her brother, and losing him will likely make up a lot of her character arc as she grieves. Let’s not forget Nakia, T’Challa’s on-off lover. They got back together at the end of the previous film, which is not long after Captain America: Civil War which is set roughly in 2016. It’s now 2023-2024 within the universe. It might be a bit further, like 2025, but we doubt it will push ahead.
Others affected by T’Challa’s alleged passing will include his mother, Ramonda, and his friends, including Dora Milaje leader General Okoye. Then, there’s M’Baku, his new best friend who replaced W’Kabi after he sided with Killmonger, and Everett Ross, who became an ally after Shuri saved his life.
Essentially, everyone who knows T’Challa within the world of Wakanda will be affected by his death if that happens.
Going back to Shuri, her role might go above being the tech genius she is. She will likely become a reluctant leader in her own right. As impressive as this will be to see, we’ll have to wait and see.
