When Will The New Black Panther Return After Wakanda Forever?

Warning: spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever saw the people of Wakanda mourning the loss of King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman), but that also meant the rise of a new Black Panther – and here’s when this new hero could appear next. The Marvel Cinematic Universe continues its expansion with the Multiverse Saga, and its latest adventure is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever takes viewers back to Wakanda to reunite with the Royal family as they deal with a variety of issues.

Set after the events of Avengers: Endgame, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sees the leaders of Wakanda fighting to protect their nation from invading forces while they also mourn the sudden death of King T’Challa. Meanwhile, a new threat emerges from Talokan, a hidden undersea nation ruled by Namor (Tenoch Huerta), who fails to make a deal with the Wakandans. In addition to that, Wakanda sees the rise of a new leader and Black Panther, ready to defend the nation. As expected, Shuri (Letitia Wright) ended up taking the mantle of Black Panther, so now the question is: when will the new Black Panther return to the MCU?

Ironheart

Among the new characters introduced in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is Riri Williams (Donique Thorne), an MIT student and genius from Chicago who built her own suit of armor, similar to Iron Man’s. Riri turned out to be the scientist who built the vibranium-detecting machine that threatened the security of Talocan and Wakanda. Riri Williams was saved by Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) during Namor’s attack and stayed in Wakanda to help them defeat Namor’s army while sporting a brand new Iron Man-esque suit. At the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Riri returned to MIT and left her new suit in Wakanda, but she will be back in her own TV show, Ironheart.

Ironheart is part of the Multiverse Saga, and it’s expected to be released sometime in 2023, and given Riri’s friendship with Shuri and the fact that she left her suit in Wakanda, this would be a perfect chance for Black Panther’s second appearance. Most TV shows from the MCU so far have had the appearance of at least one character from the movie side of this universe, in an effort to further connect these stories, so it would be fitting to have Black Panther appear in Ironheart. As this is Riri's story, Black Panther’s appearance in Ironheart would have to be a minor one, just to make the series feel like part of the rest of the MCU.

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

Just like the Infinity Saga had Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, the Multiverse Saga will have a major crossover event in two parts, starting with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. Plot details about The Kang Dynasty are still unknown, but as the title says, it will see the rise of Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors) and will follow the events that will trigger the Secret Wars event. As this will be a multiversal emergency, the MCU will have to bring together all of its current superheroes, and so Avengers: The Kang Dynasty would definitely have to see the return of the new Black Panther, ready for one of the biggest battles she has ever seen.

Avengers: Secret Wars

Avengers: The Kang Dynasty will be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars, based on the comic book event Secret Wars. Just like The Kang Dynasty, plot details about Avengers: Secret Wars haven’t been revealed yet, but if it sees multiverse chaos like in the comic books, Black Panther will definitely have to return. Shuri is about to face some of the biggest battles the MCU has seen, and she must be prepared for them as they won’t be easy fights. Given her new alliance with Namor, Black Panther could actually be one of Secret Wars’ most valuable warriors, as she could bring more allies to help the rest of the MCU fight Kang and stop whatever plans he has for the multiverse.

Black Panther 3

Split Image of Characters Posters From Black Panther Of M'Baku, Shuri, Nakia, and Okoye

Although it’s not official yet, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sets up a third Black Panther movie by having Shuri take the mantle of the title superhero, M’Baku challenging for the throne again, and Nakia introducing Shuri to her son, Toussaint, T’Challa’s son. There’s no reason for Marvel to not move forward with Black Panther 3 as part of its post-Multiverse Saga plans, and even though Black Panther will surely appear in the above-mentioned Avengers movies, Black Panther 3 would give the studio a lot more time to further develop Shuri/Black Panther’s story and how she’s getting along with whoever took the throne of Wakanda after Ramonda’s death.

Next: Black Panther 2's End-Credits Scene & New MCU Character Explained