Black Panther is one of the lesser developed characters in the MCU, with only 4 appearances in the universe so far. Nonetheless, he brought fans many memorable moments when his movie shot to success in 2018 after his first appearance in Captain America: Civil War.
In his solo movie, T'Challa gains a new suit and must deal with the trials of becoming king of Wakanda after his father, which has lead to many inspiring moments. However, his father's death is not the only heartbreaking moment for T'Challa in the MCU. Here are 5 moments he inspired fans, and 5 where he broke fan's hearts.
Inspired Fans: When He Healed Everett Ross
Martin Freeman stars as Everett Ross in Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther. Killmonger breaks Klaw out of his interrogation and shoots at the others. Ross jumps in front of Nakia and takes a bullet for her which hits him in his back.
T'Challa knows that Wakandan technology can save him, so he brings him back home to save him, despite the fact that it risks the exposure of their nation.
Fans Felt Sorry For Him: When He Got Snapped Away
Black Panther was one of the fallen heroes who turned to dust when Thanos snapped his fingers at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. Fans are unsure what it feels like to be turned to dust, but it can't be good.
What made this scene worse is the fact that just before he was turned to dust, he was more concerned for Okoye's well being, saying "Up General! Up! This is no place to die."
Inspired Fans: When He Saved Zemo From Himself
At the end of Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther follows Steve and Bucky to the Hydra facility where Zemo has led them. It's here that Black Panther learns that Bucky was not responsible for the death of his father, Zemo was.
T'Challa approaches Zemo outside and manages to catch the bullet just before Zemo kills himself. This wasn't just your classic "hero being a hero" moment. T'Challa could easily have let Zemo kill himself after what he did to his father but he didn't want to be consumed by vengeance anymore.
Fans Felt Sorry For Him: When He Tried To Save Erik Killmonger
At the end of Black Panther, T'Challa manages to overpower Erik and takes him to the surface to watch the sunset over Wakanda, as his father promised him he would do.
T'Challa says that he can maybe still heal Killmonger's wounds, but Erik knows that he would be locked in a cell if that were to happen, and he chooses death over imprisonment in an emotional ending to the movie.
Inspired Fans: When He Opened The Barrier To Wakanda
The final battle of Avengers: Infinity War takes place in Wakanda after Steve Rogers takes Vision there to remove the stone from his forehead. When Thanos' outriders arrive and start circling the barrier to Wakanda to get to Vision, T'Challa realizes there is only one way to keep the Outriders away from the city, to open the barrier and have the Outriders run directly towards T'Challa and the Avengers.
The Wakandan's were outnumbered, but did their duty to protect their country, even if it meant simply delaying the end of their nation.
Fans Felt Sorry For Him: When He Lost Zuri
During the battle between T'Challa and Killmonger, once Zuri realizes that T'Challa is about to die, Zuri not only steps in to stop Killmonger but actually sacrifices himself in the hopes that Erik will let T'Challa live. T'Challa, filled with rage, attempts to kill Erik, but is too weak to overpower him.
Zuri tells Killmonger that he is responsible for his father's death, and Killmonger stabs him with his spear before throwing T'Challa off the cliff.
Inspired Fans: When He Opened Wakanda To The World
In the final moments of Black Panther, T'Challa, who has regained his title of King, is tired of hiding his nation from the world. Instead, he wishes to use Wakanda's technology and resources to help other people.
After he learned that his father killed his own brother, T'Challa was done with secrecy and vowed to not be the bearer of a secret as big as his nation. With the vast array of technology that Wakanda has, it could certainly help a lot of people.
Fans Felt Sorry For Him: When He Lost His Father
Similar to the comics, in Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther was not on the side of Steve Rogers, while also not technically being on Iron Man's side either. Black Panther only really stood with Iron Man because he was after Bucky for supposedly killing his father.
After the explosion set of by Baron Zemo, fans could see the desperate attempt T'Challa took to save his father, and the pain when he held his father in his arms.
Inspired Fans: When He Saved The Winter Soldier
Bucky Barnes has had quite the character arc in the MCU. In the post-credit scene of Black Panther, fans are introduced to Black Panther's home of Wakanda, where Steve Rogers takes Bucky to get treated for the Hydra psychology that can still be triggered in his mind.
T'Challa not only heals Bucky's mind, but gives him a brand new Vibranium arm, just in time for Avengers: Infinity War. T'Challa also gives Bucky a home while he recovers. This took place not too long after T'Challa believed that Bucky killed his father - how quickly the tables turned.
Fans Felt Sorry For Him: When He Lost His Home & Title
The story of Black Panther centers around T'Challa's role as king, and he is challenged to a fight for the throne by Erik Killmonger. T'Challa initially overpowers Killmonger, but it doesn't take long for Erik to overpower him.
Killmonger throws him off the cliff and, as a result, he loses his title as King Of Wakanda.