Every Character Who Could Be The MCU’s New Black Panther (& Why)

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is getting a new Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and there are several candidates to take over for T'Challa. The Black Panther mantle is an essential title in Wakanda, as it belongs to the nation's protector and typically is the responsibility of their ruler. T'Challa became the MCU's Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War, with Chadwick Boseman playing the role four times before his tragic passing in 2020. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is confirmed to include T'Challa's passing, leaving the MCU in a difficult position to appoint a new Black Panther.

Marvel Studios finds itself in this position after choosing how to honor Chadwick Boseman. It was decided that the MCU would not recast T'Challa due to how perfectly Boseman played him before and the impossible pressures another actor would have to step into. The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailers not only confirmed a Chadwick Boseman tribute and that T'Challa's funeral would be shown, but the footage also briefly teased that a new Black Panther would be introduced. The scene only showed a glimpse of a new black and gold Black Panther suit. Marvel did not give audiences much to go on to try and decipher who is wearing this new suit, but that only left room for more speculation.

Thanks to the comics and the incredible characters introduced in Black Panther, the MCU has several options for who will be T'Challa's replacement. Some are more viable predictions, but arguments can still be made for how and why several characters are worthy candidates. Marvel could even go in a somewhat surprising direction and allow multiple characters to use the Black Panther suit. So, even though some would rather see a new actor continue T'Challa's story and see him remain the character to hold the mantle, here is every character who could be the MCU's next Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and beyond.

Why Shuri Should Be The New Black Panther

Letitia Wright as Shuri in Black Panther Wakanda Forever

The most likely candidate to be the MCU's new Black Panther is Shuri. Letitia Wright's character returns in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and may very well fill many of the responsibilities that T'Challa had prior. Due to her being T'Challa's sister and a Wakandan princess, Shuri could be appointed as the new ruler of Wakanda. That would automatically put her in line to become the new Black Panther. Shuri's connection to the mantle goes well beyond the possible line of succession. She is one of the smartest people in the world and helped design the Black Panther suits. Marvel could reveal that she becomes the new Black Panther in Wakdana Forever after creating her own suit to take over the mantle. Shuri could even potentially help regrow the heart-shaped herb. She might be young, but it would make sense for the Black Panther mantle to stick within the family after T'Challa's death.

Shuri's chance of being the next Black Panther is also likely aided by the comic precedence. Marvel previously gave Shuri the Black Panther mantle when T'Challa was in a coma and unable to serve in the role. It is why there has long been speculation that it was a matter of when, not if, Shuri would suit up in the MCU. While Letitia Wright's controversies may change the long-term plans for her character, it would still seem that Shuri is best positioned to take on the mantle in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and attempt to honor T'Challa's legacy.

Why Okoye Should Be The New Black Panther

The MCU could also promote Okoye to the role of Black Panther. Danai Gurira's character is the leader of the Dora Milaje, the all-female warrior team assigned to protect Wakanda's ruler. Okoye is one of Wakanda's most skilled warriors and a fierce leader, which could give her a natural path to becoming the new Black Panther. She is also incredibly loyal to Wakanda, as proven when she was willing to continue serving in her role after Killmonger defeated T'Challa to become king. Considering the Black Panther mantle was vacant before during The Blip when Shuri and T'Challa vanished, Okoye could have been promoted to the role. This would make sense if Ramonda remained Wakanda's ruler, as Okoye is a more natural choice to be Black Panther than the queen. And while she could give the title back to T'Challa after he returned, his death could open the door for Okoye to be Black Panther again. As a result, Okoye would be even more powerful as the Dora Milaje's leader and a great example of Wakanda's strength on the battlefield. Her affiliation with the Avengers could also help create an easy avenue for Black Panther remaining part of the team.

Why Nakia Should Be The New Black Panther

Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia looking out at the ocean in Black Panther Wakanda Forever

There is also a strong argument to be made that Nakia should be the MCU's new Black Panther. Lupita Nyong'o's character is a lifelong friend of T'Challa who became a romantic interest later on in life. Their close relationship partially resulted from their sharing the same beliefs about what Wakanda's role in the world should be. Nakia helped open T'Challa's eyes so that Wakanda and the Black Panther could help people around the globe. It would make sense, then, that Nakia would become the next Black Panther and continue T'Challa's efforts. The case for Lupita Nyong'o's character taking over the mantle in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is aided by the fact that she is proven to be incredibly skilled in combat and espionage. There is even a chance that Nakia and T'Challa got married after Black Panther, which could make her next in line for the mantle.

Why M’Baku Should Be The New Black Panther

The MCU's next Black Panther might be M'Baku. Audiences were introduced to Winston Duke's character and leader of the Jabari Tribe in Black Panther, and he immediately became a fan favorite. M'Baku attempted to lead Wakanda in that movie, which would have resulted in him becoming Black Panther if he had defeated T'Challa. His time as a possible antagonist quickly passed, with M'Baku becoming a respected leader in Wakanda and even potentially one of T'Challa's best friends. It would make sense for him to take over the mantle following T'Challa's death in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Marvel reportedly gave M'Baku a more significant role in the sequel, which could support the idea that he is going to be the new face of the franchise.

Can Killmonger Be The New Black Panther?

There is also plenty of support for Killmonger to return to the MCU and become the new Black Panther. The appearance of the black and gold suit in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's trailer holds some resemblance to Killmonger's suit from Black Panther. Michael B. Jordan is a massive star that Marvel might want to use more of, and he has a strong relationship with Ryan Coogler. Both of those factors could be reasons to support the idea of Killmonger becoming Black Panther, but it would not be easy. Black Panther's ending strongly implied Michael B. Jordan's character died, marking an end to one of the MCU's best villain arcs. Marvel would have to retcon Killmonger's fate (and ruin his story) to bring him back or use the multiverse loophole to bring a Killmonger variant to the MCU. It is an unlikely option for the MCU's new Black Panther, but the idea of Killmonger returning to take over the mantle in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever should not be completely ruled out.