Warning! This List Contains Major Spoilers For Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!
One of the year’s most highly-anticipated films, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has finally arrived in theaters, and it’s quickly being touted as a raving success and achievement for the MCU by critics and fans alike. Whether excited, nervous, exigent, or fearful, many viewers went into Black Panther: Wakanda Forever with all sorts of emotional feelings as they wondered how the film would honor Chadwick Boseman after he sadly passed away in 2020. It delivered a heartening and robust story, deeply exploring the grief, absence, and rage that comes with Chadwick and T’Challa’s death.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever faced a fierce uphill battle as it had to bookend Phase Four. The fanbase is split on Phase Four, with some saying it’s dipped in quality comparatively thanks to the incredibly high expectations established by Avengers: Endgame. Others are celebrating Phase Four for its compelling, unorthodox examination of the world and the introductions of several exciting new characters. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a perfect example of that exploration, while also forging a strong path forward. It is a great encapsulation of Marvel’s past and the MCU’s future thanks to the hidden easter eggs and details the film’s creators inserted.
The M Word!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever finally introduces one of Marvel’s most important characters to the MCU, Namor (played incredibly by Tenoch Huerta). Crucially, it also marks the first time the word “mutant” was used, and an apt opportunity to give to Namor for several reasons. He is canonically the first mutant for Marvel, having debuted in Marvel Comics #1 in 1939, so it is appropriate that he is the first to get to use the word here.
Many will remember that Ms. Marvel recognized Kamala Khan as the MCU's first mutant (after viewers discovered she had "mutated genes"), which was soon followed by Professor X appearing in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. This all helps to set up the X-Men’s long-awaited arrival – especially with the easter egg in She-Hulk: Attorney At Law referencing Wolverine.
CB112976
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a touching tribute to Chadwick Boseman and T’Challa, with both the film’s beginning and ending honoring his passing. The film had another subtle reference to Chadwick in the license plate of the truck transporting the arrested Everett Ross at the end. It reads “CB112976” which is a direct reference to Chadwick’s birthday – November 29th, 1976.
This is a common thing that the MCU likes to do – using signs and plaques in the background – but it’s usually referencing back to the comics and characters’ creators. As such, this is a small but special honor.
News Outside Wakanda
It’s a rule that whenever there’s a new story in the MCU, there’s probably some hidden reference to other films or tv shows. In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, there are two – both coming during the broadcasts provided by Anderson Cooper. The first says that Scott Lang is on a book tour for his memoir, teasing his turn as an author and celebrity (as shown in the Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania trailer). It’s the next film on the docket, launching Phase Five, so it could mean it’s happening close to the same time as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
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The other references New Asgard (as shown in the previous MCU film, Thor: Love and Thunder). This one says that a treaty was signed in New Asgard, which might not mean much for the MCU, but it does show the expansion of the Asgardian's new country under King Valkyrie’s rule.
Ironheart's "First" Flight
Every new MCU movie has to introduce another major new hero, and along with Namor is Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams (aka Ironheart). She is a fun and exciting addition, who acted as the film’s MacGuffin since Namor wanted to kill her for inventing a Vibranium locater. She gets to show a suit of her own during the escape from the CIA, in a moment hearkening back to Iron Man.
Like Tony Stark on his first flight, she flies too high and ends up nearly crashing down. However, even with her comparatively makeshift armor, she doesn’t suffer the same problem as Stark had, showing her superior intelligence at such a young age. Many fans are eager to see more, and thankfully, the wait won’t be long as she’s getting her own Disney+ show, Ironheart, in Phase 5.
MIT
Riri Williams' introduction to the MCU is quite interesting for a reason many might not be aware of. Part of it was filmed on the campus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which is quite remarkable as the school has set strict filming restrictions.
Not even Captain America: Civil War, which features a scene with Tony Stark on campus, got to actually shoot at MIT. This was done as it was determined there was “real value in MIT being represented in the film,” according to an email sent to the student body. Ironheart was even used in an MIT admissions video in 2017, so this was exciting to see that translate to the MCU.
The Daily Show With Griot
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is stuffed with stars giving stellar performances, but there might be some viewers weren’t aware of. That’s the case for Trevor Noah, the soon-to-be former host of The Daily Show, who voiced GRIOT, Shuri’s A.I., reprising from Black Panther.
A.I’s have an important place in the MCU thanks to the likes of JARVIS, FRIDAY, EDITH, and the worst of them all, Ultron. Shuri makes a cheeky reference to A.I.’s revolt, calling it impossible, but Tony Stark might think otherwise. Interestingly, A.I. might have a further role to play thanks to the recent announcement of Vision Quest, a Disney+ show about Vision. Let’s hope that GRIOT doesn’t get wrapped up in the trouble though, and Trevor Noah can return for Black Panther 3 or potential spin-offs.
The Appearance Of Lake Bell
Another guest appearance is Lake Bell as Dr. Graham, the scientist killed by Namor when he chucked the helicopter she was in into the ocean. She is best remembered for shows like Bless This Mess and Children’s Hospital, and her voice will sound familiar to those who’ve watched Harley Quinn as she plays Poison Ivy in that. However, she has an already established role in the MCU too.
She also voices Black Widow in What If…?. Season 2 is in the works to debut in 2023, and it will presumably feature Bell as Black Widow again (along with the other characters deserving of their own episode). Her inclusion, though, in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was strangely brief for a recognizable actor, so it begs the question of what else she might’ve done that was left on the cutting room floor – hearkening to a theory that she might’ve been intended to be involved with Doctor Doom (who many thought was going to be secret mastermind manipulating Namor).
Richard Schiff
Richard Schiff of The West Wing fame also debuted in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever as the new Secretary of State, taking over for Thunderbolt Ross. He got a special guest star credit at the end, which could mean that he’ll be returning to the MCU soon. With the CIA and Valentina plot clearly leading into Thunderbolts this seems especially likely.
Recently, it was announced that Harrison Ford would be taking over as Thunderbolt Ross – from William Hurt who passed away earlier this year – in Captain America: New World Order. Dermot Mulroney is also appearing as the US President in Secret Invasion. Both projects would be logical places Schiff’s character could pop up again.
"Imperius Rex"
Namor gets to say his classic catchphrase from the comics – “Imperius Rex” – during the final battle with Shuri. It translates to “Empire King” and it signals his intimidating authority and power as the leader of Talokan. He’s been using it as his battle cry since the 1960s, so fans are wondering if they will also see him speak Latin.
Seeing him speak Latin would likely be a homage, in a way, to Namor’s creator, Bill Everett, who named him simply by spelling “Roman” backward. Pertinently, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cleverly established Namor’s name’s origin as he was called a child without love – “el niño sin amor” – and he wore that as a badge of honor from that day.
Toussaint
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is rightfully celebrated for its deep and devoted portrayal of both African and Mesoamerican culture and heritage. Additionally, there’s some special acknowledgment of Haitian history throughout with the incredible introduction of T’Challa and Nakia’s son in the mid-credits scene. He is named Toussaint, a clear reference to Toussaint Louverteure - the legendary revolutionary who help lead the fight for Haitian independence from France in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries (via biography.com).
This further shows the special care the film’s creators took in crafting the story, as Toussaint’s Wakandan name is T’Challa II. This scene is not only incredibly emotional, but it fully sets up a third Black Panther film and potential spin-offs that can introduce other prominent Wakandans.
The Gods
There are several interesting references to the gods in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Most predominantly, Namor is revered by the people of Talokan as K’uk’ulkan, the Feather Serpent God – epitomized by his winged ankles and feather headdress. This intriguingly places him on par with characters like Thor and Loki - gods to humans.
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Kukulkan is the Mayan contemporary to the Aztec’s Quetzalcoatl, who – like Bast, Wakanda’s central god – appeared in Omnipotent City in Thor: Love and Thunder. This is a subtle connection between the two films, and there are other similarly related gods who should join the MCU next.
Where In The World Is Vibranium?
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever perfectly establishes a core element for Phase Five – the search for Vibranium. It is currently only found under the protection of the Wakandans and Talokans, but world powers, including the US, are deeply invested in getting the rare and powerful metal under their control. However, there is one crucial place where Vibranium can also be found – the Savage Land.
The Savage Land is a secret and ancient nature preserve in Antarctica, home to dinosaurs, prehistoric creatures, and the hero, Ka-Zar. The land is connected to X-Men in the comics. Interestingly, as the source of Namor’s mutation, Vibranium and Savage Land could be instrumental in bringing mutants and the X-Men into the MCU.