Black Panther Star Hints at Killmonger's Return

Black Panther star Angela Bassett may have teased the return of Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan, during a 2019 SAG Awards red carpet interview, which could be huge for the sequel if it ends up coming true. Considering this early hype for the planned Black Panther sequel and the film's exciting momentum this awards season, culminating in a Best Picture nomination at the 2019 Oscars, it's only logical that fans are wondering what's next for Black Panther and its characters - especially Killmonger.

To say Black Panther has become one of the defining films of 2018 would be putting it mildly. It's been considered a historical event following its premiere in Africa; it's spawned memes and challenges; has done stunningly well at the box office; it'll reportedly enjoy a second run in theaters ahead of the 2019 Oscars; and has, as previously mentioned, earned itself a Best Picture nomination - a feat no other superhero film to date has managed to do.

While speaking with Entertainment Tonight on the red carpet at the 2019 SAG Awards, Bassett was asked if the rest of the original cast would be coming back for the sequel. To this, Bassett replied, "I would assume so," before her husband and date for the evening, actor Courtney B. Vance, broke in to spill the beans: "Yes, just go ahead and say it, yes! Everyone will be there, including Michael B." Bassett didn't outright confirm Vance's claim but reminded ET (and the rest of the world, by extension) that viewers never see Killmonger go into the ocean, as he requested while he was dying following his fight with T'Challa at the end of Black Panther.

Killmonger talking to T'Challa in the Wakandan court

Considering just how huge a cultural landmark Black Panther has become over the course of a single year, it's no surprise that fans of are waiting eagerly for any news about developments on the sequel. As with all things MCU, any kind of information — be it casting news, a release date, or confirmation of the plot — remains under lock and key. The film isn't even listed yet on Black Panther cast members' IMDb pages, like Chadwick Boseman's (who is the most likely have it listed), so knowing what's in the works for the inevitable next installment is tough to even take an educated guess on.

With that in mind, the suggestion from Bassett and Vance, two people arguably the closest to ground zero on the Black Panther sequel, that Jordan is coming back in some way brings up some curious possibilities about what's next. As Bassett rightfully pointed out in her interview, viewers never see T'Challa fulfill Killmonger's dying wish. Instead, we see Killmonger slump over before cutting away with a second scene involving T'Challa and Nakia discussing his fight with Killmonger. Who's to say T'Challa isn't hiding Killmonger somewhere and restoring his health in secret, allowing the rest of his family to believe he's dead?

It's just as likely that if Killmonger did return, he would return in spirit form, much like viewers saw the return of T'Chaka in Black Panther even though he died in Captain America: Civil War. T'Challa could just as easily go on another journey to the spirit world to find guidance and confer with Killmonger in that way. One way or another, all will be revealed soon enough when new information comes out about the sequel, but until then, this hint will keep fans speculating on how exactly Jordan could theoretically return.