Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Lupita Nyong'o responds to the recast T'Challa movement. Nyong'o's Nakia is one of many Black Panther characters returning in the upcoming sequel, along with Shuri (Letitia Wright), Okoye (Danai Gurira), M'Baku (Winston Duke), and Ramonda (Angela Bassett). In the first Black Panther film, Nakia is introduced as a member of the War Dogs from the River Tribe, in addition to being a love interest for T'Challa.

Soon after Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away from colon cancer in 2020, Kevin Feige announced that Marvel Studios would not recast T'Challa out of respect for the actor's legacy. As Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's trailers have revealed, T'Challa has passed away in the MCU and Wakanda is mourning the loss of their king. The sequel will also introduce T'Challa's successor as the next Black Panther, with the likeliest candidate being his younger sister, Shuri. However, there is a vocal faction of the fanbase that would prefer to see the character of T'Challa recast and appear in future films, as they believe this would more effectively honor Boseman's legacy.

Related: What Black Panther 2'S Chadwick Boseman Tribute Says In Wakandan

During a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Nyong'o responded to the growing recast T'Challa movement. The Wakanda Forever star supports Marvel's decision to not recast the character and points out that while the sequel will lay T'Challa to rest, that does not spell the end of the Black Panther. Read what Nyong'o said below:

That is not the death of the Black Panther, that’s the whole point. It’s laying to rest [T’Challa] and allowing for real life to inform the story of the movies. I know that there are all sorts of reasons why people want him to be recast, but I don’t have the patience. I don’t have the presence of mind, or I don’t have the objectivity to argue with that. I don’t. I’m very biased.

Why It's Best The MCU Doesn't Recast T'Challa

Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa during his rescue mission for Nakia in Black Panther

Nyong'o's comments eloquently explain why it's best the MCU doesn't recast T'Challa. Director Ryan Coogler and his co-writer Joe Robert Cole have crafted a sequel that will effectively lay T'Challa to rest and hopefully honor his incredible legacy that Boseman helped build. In a case of art imitating life, the people of Wakanda will mourn the loss of their king as audiences are still processing Boseman's death. The sequel will also honor Boseman's T'Challa by passing the Black Panther mantle onto Shuri, or by having multiple characters don the suit and carry on his legacy.

On the contrary, the MCU recasting T'Challa would send the message that Boseman is replaceable and that another actor can fill his shoes. While Marvel made the right decision not to recast T'Challa, it's important they apply these same principles across the board. Reports indicate that Harrison Ford is taking over as Thunderbolt Ross in the MCU for William Hurt, a decision that will likely fan the flames of the recast T'Challa movement. Meanwhile, Marvel and everyone involved with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever seem steadfast in retiring the role of T'Challa out of respect for Boseman.

Next: New Wakanda Forever Trailer Makes Shuri As New Black Panther More Likely

Source: THR

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