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What about Chadwick Boseman’s T'Challa in ‘Black Panther 2’? Shuri taking on bigger role sparks controversy

After Boseman’s sudden demise, a number of Black Panther fans said Shuri taking on the role and legacy would be more respectful than merely recasting the hero

Marvel Studios is reportedly proceeding with 'Black Panther 2', the sequel and shooting will start in Atlanta in 2021. After the tragic and sudden death of Chadwick Boseman, Marvel’s 'Black Panther' sequel came to a sudden halt as the scheduled March 2021 production of the movie stopped. According to a new report, director Ryan Coogler will start shooting in July 2021 and it can go for 6 months or more.

The Hollywood Reporter stated, "Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett are expected to return for the new feature, with some saying Wright’s character may take on a more prominent role," meaning Shuri, the princess of Wakanda and the sister of T’Challa may take on the legacy of Black Panther.

After Boseman’s sudden demise, a number of Black Panther fans talked about Shuri taking on the role and legacy and that it would be more respectful than merely recasting the hero. After the news of the sequel broke, a new debate has surged on discontinuing the character of T’Challa that may do injustice to the character.

Columnist Jeff Yang wrote, “A lot of people are saying “if Shuri becomes Black Panther then we lose the Storm x Black Panther storyline” Why would we have to lose Storm x Black Panther if Shuri becomes Black Panther”

Another user wrote, “Controversial Take: A Black Panther movie about a young Shuri taking the mantle and struggling with not doing a good job, preferring the lab to the field, and possibly grieving her big brother could be a very interesting film. #BlackPanther”. Another user said, “Nothing but respect for Chadwick, he will forever be remembered, but I feel some kinda way about us having our black super hero actor die and then the character retired. How many actors have played Batman, Superman, and a host of other characters? Just sayin.”

One user who felt the decision to discontinue T’Challa isn’t the way to go wrote, “I'll say this about T'Challa if the MCU dare discontinue the character and replace him with Shuri. That is garbage and disrespectful asf to this character that only appeared in 4 films and died once. He better get a ten year story like Cap and Iron Man got. This is King T'Challa” and added, “T'Challa story literally just started so I'll be honest you better recast the character. Chadwick Boseman wouldn't want this character to be killed off. R.I.P Chadwick, but if Kevin Feige doesn't continue T'Challa story. We are about to have problems his story not even complete.” To which a user replied, “Shuri was the Panther in the comics. The same comics that the MCU is based off of. Having Shuri take up the mantle of the Panther is the entirely, MOST appropriate thing to do narrative-wise and respect wise.”

According to the THR report, Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta, Netflix’s ‘Narcos: Mexico’ star, may take on the role of an antagonist in 'Black Panther 2'. Marvel has previously indicated that they will not be using CGI for Chadwick’s character. Whether the character will be completely discontinued or not is still unclear.