The first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever showcases the film's emotion and introduces Namor the Sub-Mariner as a new power player in the MCU. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige had always promised Marvel Studios would only go to San Diego Comic-Con if they could overdeliver, and the SDCC 2022 panel certainly fulfilled that promise. Feige made a raft of announcements that included the entire MCU Phase 5 slate, and the promise of Avengers: The Kang Dynasty and Avengers: Secret Wars.
But it all ended on an emotional note with the release of the first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The first Black Panther was a cultural milestone, the first superhero film to be nominated for Best Picture, and the first film in the MCU to win an Academy Award. Unfortunately, Marvel's plans for the franchise changed after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman, the tremendous actor who had played King T'Challa, the Black Panther. Marvel resolved to make Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in honor of his memory and decided not to recast the role.
That naturally means there will be a painful parallel between Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the real world because the people of Wakanda will also be mourning the passing of a great man. Marvel understands the significance of this decision, and the first Black Panther 2 trailer focuses in on the grief sweeping through the fictional African nation - before ending with an optimistic hint of T'Challa's successor. Here are the secrets and Easter eggs revealed in the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer.
Wakanda Mourn The Death Of King T'Challa In Black Panther 2
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer opens with scenes of grief as T'Challa's loved ones mourn his passing. Marvel has yet to confirm the reason for King T'Challa's death in the MCU, although there have been rumors he will have died of cancer, like Chadwick Boseman himself. Early shots in the Black Panther 2 trailer show Nakia, and later Ramonda, mourning on a beach. Curiously, the architecture in the background is somewhat more evocative of South America than Africa, so these shots may not be based in Wakanda.
Ramonda Sits On The Throne Of Wakanda
The tragic death of T'Challa is even more difficult because Killmonger destroyed all stocks of the Heart-Shaped Herb, meaning the line of Black Panthers could potentially be at an end. After her son's death, Ramonda takes the throne, becoming Queen of Wakanda. But the Black Panther 2 trailer makes it abundantly clear her heart is not in it; she is torn apart with grief. It's possible Ramonda survived Thanos' snap in Avengers: Infinity War, which would mean she'd already grieved for T'Challa once, only to have him return; his death would therefore be a particularly cruel twist of fate.
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Trailer Includes Shots Of T'Challa's Funeral
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer shows several shots that are clearly part of King T'Challa's funeral. Many African funeral traditions include a celebratory aspect, reminding those left behind of the richness of life, while the dancing may serve to provide the deceased with "light feet" to enter the spirit world. It's possible Black Panther 2 will introduce the Necropolis, the Wakandan City of the Dead, where previous Black Panthers are buried in the comics.
Wakanda's Throne Room Gets A Heart-Wrenching Makeover
The new columns in Wakanda's throne room are a memorial to T'Challa. The sigils from left to right are for the Jabari Tribe, the Merchant Tribe, the Golden Tribe, and the Border Tribe, according to Production Designer Hannah Beachler (via Twitter). The columns in between read "T'Challa, Our Hero, In Honor..." Set photos have shown more of this, confirming the columns to read a touching message in full; "Rest In Power, King T'Challa, Our Hero, It Was An Honor, Rest In Power." It seems Ramonda will be surrounded by her grief in her own throne room.
The Black Panther 2 Trailer Appears To Show The Birth Of Namor
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will mark the MCU debut of Namor the Sub-Mariner. In the comics, Namor is the son of a human father and the Atlantean princess Fen. It seems Black Panther 2 will include flashbacks exploring the Sub-Mariner's entire life, because the trailer includes a glimpse of what appears to be his birth; there's a glimpse of Namor's winged feet after the birth, a genetic mutation in the comics. Director Ryan Coogler clearly wants Namor to be sympathetic, even if he is typically an antagonist in terms of his relationship to Wakanda.
Black Panther 2 Introduces Namor - But He Isn't King of Atlantis
Namor the Sub-Mariner is a classic Marvel character, a sometimes-superhero who nonetheless has a fierce rivalry with Black Panther in the comics. Tenoch Huerta's Namor appears in a ceremonial garb that's very different to the comics. This is because the MCU has switched its version of Namor away from the traditional Atlantis, with merchandise confirming he is in fact ruler of Talocan, an ancient civilization hidden in the depths of the ocean. This is derived from the Aztec legend of Tlālōcān, a paradisaical realm traditionally ruled over by the rain god Tlālōc. It's possible Namor is either an avatar of Tlālōc, or is in fact the mythological being himself. The Black Panther 2 trailer doesn't give any indication of the name given to Namor's people in the MCU, so it's probably best to continue calling them Atlanteans until another name (Tlocans, perhaps) is given by Marvel.
The Atlanteans Live In Peace With The Ocean World
Whether these are Atlanteans or not, the underwater race clearly live in harmony with the natural world - making them an interesting mirror of Wakanda itself. The MCU's Phase 4 slate has been particularly interested in introducing hidden races, societies, and cultures, and this looks one of the most exciting to date. The timing of Black Panther 2 is particularly interesting, coming shortly before another underwater adventure - Avatar 2.
A Mysterious Underwater Expedition Prompts Conflict In Black Panther 2
There have long been rumors the conflict between Wakanda and Atlantis is triggered by an undersea expedition that becomes a cause of conflict. These are apparently confirmed by the Black Panther 2 trailer, raising intriguing questions about why Wakanda is launching expeditions to the sea floor. Rumors have suggested the Wakandans are looking for vibranium, having detected evidence of an undersea deposit that - though they don't know it - is situated close to Atlantis. If these reports are correct, it's likely the Wakandans are hoping vibranium radiation has mutated some of the flora and fauna of the ocean, creating a substitute for the Heart-Shaped Herb. Curiously, this expedition seems to be attacked by soldiers first rather than Atlanteans, suggesting there's a geopolitical dimension to this story as well.
The Throne Room Of Wakanda Is Ravaged By Fire & Water
One particularly shocking shot in the Black Panther 2 trailer shows the throne room of Wakanda being ravaged by both flames and floodwaters. The imagery is reminiscent of the destruction of the Heart-Shaped Herb stocks in Black Panther, symbolically suggesting the destruction of Wakanda. The title of the film may be "Wakanda Forever," but this haunting shot suggests the nation will suffer a great deal.
Riri Williams' Ironheart Teams Up With Shuri In Her Lab
Black Panther 2 will introduce Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams (codenamed Ironheart), a young genius who appears to be a good friend of Shuri's. In the comics, Riri was a teenager at MIT who annoyed Tony Stark when she successfully reverse-engineered his Iron Man armor. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever serves as Ironheart's MCU debut, along with her own Disney+ TV show spinning out of the film.
The Black Panther 2 Trailer Shows The Tragedies That Shaped Namor's Life
Another flashback shot shows a tragedy that shapes Namor's life, as he watches a coastal building burn when he is just a boy. It's reasonable to assume Namor's loved ones - presumably his parents - died in the blaze - and that it was arson, not an accident. This would help give Namor a deep-rooted hatred and fear of the surface world, setting him up as an antagonist and enemy should Atlantis ever be discovered. This shot is followed by a later one in which the Atlantean Prince Namor of the present-day visits the ruins of this building on the beach, with his people apparently settled around there.
Black Panther 2 Features The Return Of M'Baku & The Jabari
Naturally, all the tribes of Wakanda are shaken by T'Challa's death. That is even the case with the Jabari, whose leader M'Baku dared to challenge T'Challa in Black Panther. The trailer confirms M'Baku and the Jabari will prove to be potent defenders of Wakanda, waging war against invaders - and daring to take on enemies that are definitely out of their league. It will be interesting to see whether M'Baku still hopes to claim the throne of Wakanda for himself, potentially positioning him as another adversary to the Royal Family.
Ramonda Meets With World Leaders In The Black Panther 2 Trailer
T'Challa opened Wakanda's borders to the world, changing the MCU - and Wakanda - forever. This means Ramonda's role as queen will involve an element of international diplomacy, and one shot in the Black Panther 2 chamber sets this up, showing Ramonda entering a meeting chamber of some kind. The shot seems to confirm Wakanda will be dealing with a geopolitical crisis as well as the Atlanteans. Ramonda's dialogue claims her entire family is gone; it's likely this means Shuri will go missing at some point.
The Black Panther 2 Trailer Offers Another Tribute To T'Challa
Ramonda's scenes are followed by another tribute to King T'Challa, as the mourners grieve his death. This time, the words - which are partially obscured - read "The King lives and the panther... forever in us." Wakandans believe death is not the end, but simply a stepping-off point; there is still grief and loss, but the belief in the afterlife will hopefully help them cope with their grief after King T'Challa's death. It's interesting to see how closely T'Challa is linked to the Black Panther and even the Panther Goddess, Bast.
The Black Panther 2 Trailer Introduces Namora
The Black Panther 2 trailer shows Atlanteans on the surface, using technology sometimes known as "rebreathers" to allow them to breathe above the surface. The Atlantean woman at the center of the shot is Namora (Mabel Cadena), another Atlantean superhero in the comics. It's interesting to note the costumes worn by individual Atlanteans appear evocative of Aztec gods, with Namora's containing lots of jade - perhaps reminiscent of the water deity Chalchiuhtlicue, who traditionally rules Tlālōcān alongside Tlālōc. The trailer also shows Attuma (Alex Livinalli) by Namora's side, out of focus, an Atlantean warlord who often attempts to overthrow Namor and claim the kingdom of Atlantis for himself. His design is evocative of Tezcatlipoca, the Aztec god of war.
The Return of Everett Ross
Martin Freeman's Everett Ross returns in the Black Panther 2 trailer. Ross may well find his loyalties divided after T'Challa's death, because his superiors will surely be keen to take advantage of Wakanda's state of turmoil. In the comics, Ross wound up forced to advise on an attempted U.S. invasion of Wakanda; his advice was overruled, of course, because he recommended against it. He may well find himself in a similar position in Black panther: Wakanda Forever.
The Forging Of The Ironheart In Black Panther 2
Marketing for Black Panther 2 has confirmed the film will see Ironheart create her first armor, which will be named due to the distinctive shape of her version of the Arc Reactor. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer deliberately parallels Ironheart with Iron Man, showing her forging the back-plate for the Arc Reactor. The shot is placed in surprising prominence, suggesting that Ironheart really does have a significant role in the film.
Namor Invades Wakanda In Black Panther 2
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer moves on to show shots of open war between Wakanda and Atlantis. The Atlanteans appear to have invaded Wakanda's main city, with the Wakandans desperately attempting to defend themselves - both from the air and the sea, with M'Baku foolish enough to attack Namor directly. No doubt he will be dealt with in pretty short order, given Namor's superhuman physiology; indeed, there's been some speculation Namor and the Atlanteans are gods in the MCU, another pantheon of the kind seen in Thor: Love & Thunder.
The Black Panther 2 Trailer Hints At Namor's Faith
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer shows Namor before a mural that may well represent Kukulcan, the feathered serpent god of many Mesoamerican cultures. Marvel is clearly trying to draw parallels between Wakanda and Namor's kingdom; given the Wakandans are devoted to the Panther Goddess Bast, it would make sense for the Atlanteans to be religious as well. It's entirely possible Namor believes his conflict with Wakanda to be a holy war.
Namora Lashes Out - Potentially Triggering Chaos In Black Panther 2
One of the most thrilling shots in the Black Panther 2 trailer shows Namora at war. Attentive viewers will note that all Atlanteans' skins lose their blue hue when they are beneath the waves, with the sole exception of Namor, pointing to his half-human nature. The placement of this particular shot is intriguing, perhaps hinting Namora is the one responsible for the escalating war between the Atlanteans and Wakandans. In the comics, Namora was once faced with a cult who pretended to be the Aztec god Kukulcan, and she may be using Namor's faith to manipulate him.
Wakanda Is Ravaged By Floods In Black Panther 2
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer builds to a dramatic climax with scenes of conflict, revealing the forces of Atlantis invade Wakanda - and flood the fictional African nation. The war between Wakanda and Atlantis is the stuff of legend in the comics, initiated by a similar event during 2012's Avengers Vs. X-Men event when a Phoenix-powered Namor decided to drown Wakanda. The initial conflict wound down, but the hostility between T'Challa and Namor ran through to 2015's Secret Wars. Marvel has confirmed that Avengers: Secret Wars is the final film of Phase 6 - Phases 4-6 are collectively considered "The Multiverse Saga" - so the rivalry between Wakanda and Atlantis may not wrap up in Black Panther 2.
Namor Takes The Throne Of Atlantis
The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer features a stunning shot of Prince Namor descending to claim his throne in Atlantis. The image is a carefully chosen one, coming almost immediately after the flooding of the throne room in Wakanda, signifying the fall of that throne. Namor's has a much more curious design, however, and production designer Hannah Beachler has confirmed it is based around the jaw of a megalodon. In the comics, Namor has often summoned ancient sea-creatures previously believed to be extinct, so it's possible this is no mere fossil - and that his people will unleash a live megalodon on their enemies.
The Dora Milaje Battle Atlanteans In The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Trailer
It's difficult to place any of the action scenes shown in the last few moments of the Black Panther 2 trailer. The stand-out is surely a battle between Atlanteans and the Dora Milaje that seems to be set in the film's third act, given the Dora Milaje have developed tactics allowing them to counter Atlantean raiders. It's possible this is part of a counter-strike launched by Wakanda, with the Atlanteans learning to their cost their new enemies should not be underestimated.
Related: Who Is The New Black Panther In Wakanda Forever?
The New Black Panther Flexes Her Claws
Finally, the Black Panther 2 trailer confirms there will indeed be a new Black Panther. This is expected to be Letitia Wright's Shuri, although it's difficult to say how she becomes the Black Panther; presumably, she either synthesizes the Heart-Shaped Herb or finds a substitute for it. Whatever the case may be, this new champion will provide hope for her people in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It's easy to miss, but the new Black Panther is flexing her claws before a wounded Namor, suggesting their battle - likely in the third act - won't go well for the Sub-Mariner.
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