Despite debuting the first trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever at San Diego Comic-Con last month, we know surprisingly little about the sequel to one of Marvel‘s most iconic films. Thankfully, the PR machine is alive and well, and now Empire is giving us a great look at some of the film’s characters. Gracing the new cover of Empire magazine are three of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s leading players: Angela Bassett (Queen Ramonda), Letitia Wright (Shuri), and Tenoch Huerta (Namor). All three stars appear regal, determined, and like Marvel royalty.
2018’s Black Panther earned $1.3B worldwide upon release, blowing beyond analyst and audience expectations. As the subject of racist attacks online leading up to the film’s release, Black Panther‘s box office performance sent trolls back beneath their bridges, their tails between their legs and questioning their life choices. The film’s success triggered a sea change in the film industry, proving that big-budget films starring a Black cast could shatter records and break the box office.
Sadly, the star of Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman (T’Challa), passed away from cancer near the start of production for the sequel. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever quickly became an impossible film. How do you move forward while honoring the star who helped start a cinematic revolution? You’ll have to read the latest issue of Empire to find out, though I’m confident the passion of the cast and filmmakers has much to do with it. From what I’ve gathered, everyone poured their heart and soul into making Marvel’s Black Panther sequel.
Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, and Dominique Thorne, in her debut as Riri Williams (Ironheart), are taking center stage for the new film, with Tenoch Huerta as Namor the Sub-Mariner. Ryan Coogler returns to the franchise to direct and co-write the sequel with Joe Robert Cole, which looks are colorful, emotional, and exciting as the original. The sequel finds Wakanda pitted against intervening world powers as they mourn the loss of King T’Challa.
You can check out the new Empire magazine covers below, including the gorgeous subscriber cover featuring Namor’s incredible headdress.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever comes to theaters on November 11, 2022. Will you be honoring Boseman’s memory when the film comes out? Let us know in the comments.
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