Black Panther 2: Every Theory On How Killmonger Could Return

Michael B. Jordan’s Eric Stevens aka Killmonger is dead in the MCU, but there are ways that he could be used again in Black Panther 2. When Black Panther was first released in 2018 to become a huge box office hit, it was flooded with positive reviews. A major factor in that was Michael B. Jordan’s performance as Killmonger, who was hailed as the character with the best villain arc in the MCU.

For years, there’s been a perception that Marvel has a big villain problem. Quite a few of them, such as Thor: The Dark World’s Malekith, Doctor Strange’s Kaecilius, Avengers: Age of Ultron’s titular antagonist, and Iron Man 2’s Whiplash, were considered underwhelming. One character who totally avoided this stigma was Black Panther’s Killmonger, who received across-the-board praise. Despite being ruthless in his pursuit of the throne of Wakanda, Killmonger was thought of as a sympathetic figure who had good reasons for feeling that he was wronged by T’Challa’s kingdom. It helped make him into a character that audiences were able to understand on a deep level.

While villains like Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thanos (Josh Brolin) have had their stories extended beyond one movie, Killmonger’s MCU journey concluded with just one film. Even though Black Panther succeeded in telling a complete story with Killmonger, there’s still a great number of fans who want him to be used again. Rumors are persisting that he may somehow come back into play in Black Panther 2. Regardless of whether or not that should happen, it is at least possible for him to be seen again. Killmonger making an appearance in the 2022 film wouldn’t mark the first time the MCU has either brought back or found a different way to use a fan-favorite character. Here’s every theory on how Killmonger can re-enter the picture in Black Panther 2.

Namor Resurrects Killmonger

Namor standing proudly in his first comic book appearance

At the end of Black Panther, Eric was mortally wounded during the final battle with T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). After being allowed to watch the sunset in his dying moments, he said to Black Panther, “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors that jumped from the ships. Because they knew death was better than bondage.” Many are speculating that “bury me in the ocean” is particularly meaningful, and that it could lead to him returning in Black Panther 2. The idea behind this is that the top candidate for the sequel’s main antagonist is Namor the Sub-Mariner, a Marvel Comics anti-hero who dwells in the underwater kingdom of Atlantis.

The theory connecting Killmonger to the Avenging Son is that the Atlanteans will find Killmonger’s body in the ocean and bring it to Namor, who will have Killmonger restored to life somehow. The version of the Sub-Mariner that exists in Marvel Comics doesn’t possess the supernatural powers necessary for such a feat, but it’s possible that whoever is acting as Atlantis’ high priest could bring him back with a ritual or a mystical artifact. Magic does exist in Atlantis, and since it’s become prevalent in recent Marvel movies as well, it could be incorporated into the MCU’s take on Namor’s homeland.

Perhaps the biggest issue with this theory is the matter of motivation. It’s hard to say why Namor and the Atlanteans would want to bring a surfacer like Killmonger back to life. Eric doesn’t hold any power in Wakanda anymore, so he may not a big help to their cause if their intention is war. But, Namor could still see potential in him. He may feel that since Eric was king (albeit briefly), he could cause a major dispute that would weaken Wakanda enough for them to strike. This could create an interesting arc for Killmonger, as it would put him in a position where he may have to side with the heroes.

Wakanda Resurrects Killmonger

The Atlanteans aren’t the only characters who could undo Eric’s death. In Black Panther comics, Wakanda had a Resurrection Altar that Killmonger used to reanimate dead soldiers for his army. It also served the purpose of resurrecting Killmonger himself. Black Panther 2 could go down that same road, While the Wakandans weren’t exactly endeared to him during the movie. There may be a character or two who thinks that Wakanda should turn its attention back to its previous king now that T’Challa won’t be around.

Flashbacks

Erik Kilmmonger arrives at Wakanda in Black Panther

The easiest way to use any dead character is simply to have them show up in flashbacks. Of course, it’s the least exciting option, but it is one way to give Killmonger more screen time in the MCU. The problem though, is that in the case of Jordan’s character, a lack of relevancy makes it difficult for them to be worked into the narrative. Which character would be experiencing a memory with Killmonger in it? As someone who grew up in the United States, he didn’t begin having interactions with the other characters until the setting of Black Panther. Also, Killmonger’s story has already been told, and there may not be anything in his past that needs to be explored. Perhaps the only way a Killmonger flashback would feel appropriate in the sequel is if Black Panther 2’s villain is a person who crossed paths with Eric at some point in his past.

The Multiverse

Killmonger Michael B Jordan Black Panther

Another method of getting Killmonger back is by utilizing the concept of the multiverse, which is one of the central ideas present in Phase 4. The existence of other timelines is integral to the plots of Spider-Man 3, Loki, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, and possibly Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. It may be that Black Panther 2 will also invoke this plot device. If so, the movie could reveal a timeline where Killmonger still lives. It may be that in a different version of Wakanda’s history, Killmonger was never robbed of the throne, or T’Challa never defeated him. While theoretically, this scenario is possible, there’s no evidence thus far that Black Panther 2 will be a multiverse story. For now, the movie introducing an alternate universe Killmonger seems unlikely.

The Astral Plane

The explanation for Killmonger’s return that feels the most plausible is that he appears via the Astral Plane. With the Heart-Shaped Herb, both T’Challa and Eric have been able to interact with dead characters. So if a Black Panther 2 character were to consume the Heart-Shaped Herb, they could potentially speak with Killmonger. A scene where he gets to share his thoughts on whatever conflict the main protagonists are dealing with may be the best way Black Panther 2 can use Killmonger without ruining his ending from the first movie.

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