The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer has officially been released, prompting curiosity as to whether or not Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger will return. The trailer confirmed two new characters coming to the MCU: Namor, the Sub-Mariner, a.k.a. King of Atlantis, and Riri Williams, a.k.a. Ironheart. The trailer also ended with a mysterious and brief teaser that Black Panther will return, showing the character unsheathing their cat-like claws.

Following Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020, Marvel confirmed that rather than recast T’Challa, the mantle of Black Panther would be passed on to another character. The Wakanda Forever trailer delivers no hints as to who the new Black Panther could be, though speculation leads some to believe it will be Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger. In the first Black Panther, Killmonger attempted to claim the throne of Wakanda from T’Challa, leading to a battle that ended with Killmonger being fatally stabbed in the chest.

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Although he died in the first movie, Killmonger could return to the MCU via the multiverse. In the comics, there is also a storyline where his followers bring him back from the dead at Necropolis, The City Of The Dead, where it is rumored that T’Challa will be laid to rest. Having abilities similar to a super soldier and him briefly appearing in the role in the comics further support Killmonger’s return as Black Panther. The Black Panther suit depicted in the new trailer is even decorated with gold, similar to Killmonger’s Panther (or Golden Jaguar) suit. Despite all of this, it still seems unlikely Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger will return in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, at least where the superhero mantle is concerned.

Why Michael B. Jordan's Killmonger Shouldn't Be In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

Letitia Wright as Shuri at the funeral for T'Challa in Black Panther Wakanda Forever

Michael B. Jordan has expressed uncertainty around his return in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: “As we all know, Marvel has their plans… Who knows how things are going to shake out” (via MTV UK). Even if Killmonger were to return, the Wakandans are likely still resentful toward him for destroying their heart-shaped herb supply and challenging their king’s rule. His ideologies also greatly contrasted T’Challa’s, and his story in Wakanda seems to have effectively concluded with the first movie.

More likely to replace T’Challa as Black Panther are his closest allies, such as his sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright). Shuri is the rightful successor to Wakanda’s throne and even appears in the comics as the Queen of Wakanda. She is also highly intelligent and is thought to be synthesizing the heart-shaped herb that Killmonger previously eradicated from Wakanda. T'Challa’s love interest, Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o), is another possibility, given her leadership skills, political prowess, proven trustworthiness, and capabilities as a combatant. Warrior leader of the Dora Milaje and T’Challa’s loyal protector Okoye (Danai Gurira) is another favorite possibility to become the new Black Panther. The first Black Panther movie did a fantastic job of presenting strong female characters, which would be taken to the next level by having a woman take over the mantel in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Even if Michael B. Jordan doesn’t return as Black Panther, he could still return, perhaps in the afterlife via Wakanda’s Ancestral Plane. With the actor also reprising the role of Killmonger in What If…, he could appear in the series’ upcoming season. Regardless of whoever takes over the mantle of the titular superhero, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is sure to be an emotional celebration of both Chadwick Boseman and King T’Challa. Director Ryan Coogler said during Marvel's Comic-Con panel, "Chad is no longer with us physically, but his spirit, his passion, his genius, his pride, his culture, and the impact that he made on this industry will be felt forever. We put our love for Chadwick into this film" (via THR).

Next: Why Namor Looks So Different In The Black Panther 2 Trailer

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