Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Hinted At The Dora Milaje's Weird Future

An Easter egg in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hints at the Dora Milaje's surprising future. Led by Danai Gurira's Okoye in Black Panther, the royal bodyguards of Wakanda have developed important roles in the MCU that goes beyond just the two Black Panther movies. Their relevance to the MCU continued in Wakanda Forever, which made them instrumental to Shuri's efforts to stop Tenoch Huerta's Namor the Sub-Mariner from conquering their kingdom.

The Dora Milaje using Shuri and Ironheart's tech to beat Namor's allies in Wakanda Forever is unlikely to be last these characters are seen in the MCU. Though there are no movies or shows on Marvel's Phase 5 or Phase 6 slates that are confirmed to include the Dora Milaje, an untitled Wakanda spinoff is reportedly in development. Progress seems to have stalled, but if it eventually moves forward, Marvel will have an opportunity to do even more with their corner of the MCU. Plus, there's the matter of a potential Black Panther 3, which would undoubtedly find room for at least some of the Dora Milaje as it continues the stories of Shuri and the other Wakandan characters.

The Dora Milaje Did Indeed Become Space Cadets In The Comics

As for what the future might bring for the Dora Milaje, a line in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hints at one of the possibilities, which actually happened in Marvel Comics. When presented with the energy daggers, Okoye expressed her opposition to the idea by pointing out that the Dora Milaje are not "space cadets." What's interesting about this line is just how accurately this phrase describes the role of the Dora Milaje in Marvel's more recent comics. The 2018 Black Panther relaunch, written by Ta-Nehisi Coates, sent T'Challa and some of the Dora Milaje on an expedition in outer space.

Coates' run on Black Panther saw a seismic shift for the comic characters, as it followed a group of Wakandans led by T'Challa as they traveled through outer space, battling an oppressive, intergalactic empire. During their adventures, they used futuristic tech consistent with the kind of weapons and tools one would expect from a space opera like Star Wars. Curiously, it fits with the technological direction the MCU seems to be taking the people of Wakanda in the Multiverse Saga.

Will Wakanda Go To Space In The MCU?

An image of Okoye standing in the dark in Wakanda Forever

When looking ahead at the future Shuri and the Dora Milaje will have in the MCU after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the space arc does feel like a legitimate option. After all, Black Panther director Ryan Coogler has been open about how the movies have taken inspiration from Coates' Black Panther comics. With that in mind, it's not implausible that this is where the MCU is heading. Since Marvel has been working to expand the cosmic side of the MCU with stories like the Guardians of the Galaxy movies, Marvel will have a deep and well-developed world to dive into if and when it gets to that point with Wakanda's characters.

NEXT: Marvel Confirms Namor's Ankle Wings Can Grow Back In The MCU