Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s Biggest Unanswered Questions

Warning: This contains SPOILERS for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever!

Phase 4 comes to a close with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but the sequel has a few unanswered questions and mysteries remaining. The conflict between Wakanda and Talokan takes center stage in the Black Panther sequel, as Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Namor (Tenoch Huerta) are pitted against each other for the safety of their kingdoms. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s ending brings the main narrative to a conclusion by having Shuri and Namor agree to a truce, leaving both in a position to play important roles as the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues.

There are several other storylines present in Black Panther 2, though. The death of T’Challa has a massive impact on the characters closest to him, while Riri Williams (Dominique Thorne) creating a vibranium detector sets the main story into motion. There are also subplots involving Okoye’s (Danai Gurira) demotion within the Dora Milaje, Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dryfus) wanting vibranium, and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) coming back to Wakanda. Ryan Coogler’s movie mostly does an excellent job of answering all the big questions it presents, but there are also a few purposefully left unresolved. Here is Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s biggest unanswered questions.

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What Disease Did T’Challa Die From In Wakanda Forever?

How Black Panther 2 would handle T’Challa’s death was one of the biggest questions heading into the movie. The opening scene focused on Shuri trying to find a cure for a disease that was killing her brother and the Wakandan funeral that followed when she could not crack the code in time. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever never specifies what disease T’Challa had or how long he had it before he died. Without a direct answer, it could closely mirror what happened to Chadwick Boseman in real life.

Chadwick Boseman passed away in 2020 due to colon cancer. He kept the diagnosis a secret from most of the world and battled the disease for four years. Since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was made with honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy in mind, T’Challa’s cancerous disease would be another way to bring part of the actor’s experience into the character. There is no confirmation that this is the case, though, meaning side effects of not having the heart-shaped herb for so long or another disease could also cause T’Challa’s death.

Who Is Wakanda’s New Ruler? M’Baku or Shuri?

Another Black Panther: Wakanda Forever unanswered question emerges through the final scenes. Before the film’s release, there were many questions about who would lead Wakanda in the sequel and beyond. While Ramonda (Angela Bassett) took the throne at first, her death positioned Shuri to do so next. Her decision to become Black Panther appeared to indicate that this was the path she was going down. However, it is revealed that she skips her coronation at Warrior Falls and has M’Baku (Winston Duke) appear instead, asking to challenge for the throne.

M’Baku being Wakanda’s king is not confirmed through Black Panther 2‘s ending, but Shuri not being present could be seen as a sign that she is passing up the chance to rule Wakanda. The ambiguous status of Wakanda’s ruler could be done so Marvel Studios has flexibility in the future. A future MCU project could reveal that Wakanda’s other tribe leaders do not accept M’Baku’s challenge to rule, allowing Shuri to come back and take the throne if she chooses. However, it could also be confirmed that she decides to leave the political life behind to be the Black Panther, allowing M’Baku to be Wakanda’s king for the time being.

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Will There Be Multiple Black Panthers In The MCU?

There is no question about who the MCU’s new Black Panther is after Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, as Shuri takes the regrown heart-shaped herb and debuts a new suit in the third act. However, there is not a guarantee that she will be the only one. The sequel shows multiple heart-shaped herbs being grown and teases the existence of other suits. That is why the potential future for multiple Black Panthers existing is another Black Panther: Wakanda Forever unanswered question.

Shuri’s MCU future is firmly rooted in being Black Panther, but Marvel has long been interested in potentially featuring multiple characters in the suit. M’Baku becoming king of Wakanda could enable him also to become Black Panther thanks to Wakanda’s customs and M’Baku’s love of tradition. Black Panther 2‘s post-credits scene also gives the MCU another future Black Panther by introducing Prince Toussaint, T’Challa’s secret son. Even if he is not ready to wear the vibranium suit, Shuri could share the weight of the mantle with Okoye or Nakia too.

What Happens To Everett Ross After His Rescue?

The future for Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) is also a mystery following Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The movie makes him a traitor in the eyes of his ex-wife Valentina because he was in secret communication with Wakanda. While Val attempts to have him thrown in jail, Okoye breaks him out of the transport vehicle. This makes the former CIA and JCTC operative a fugitive with an uncertain future. It would make sense for Okoye and Wakanda to offer Ross some protection, but it is also known he returns in Secret Invasion in 2023. The trailers indicate Ross might be on the run due to his recent actions.

Will Namor & Talokan Remain Hidden Or Wage War Again?

The future of Namor and Talokan also looms large as a Black Panther: Wakanda Forever unanswered question. The underwater city has existed in relative mystery and secrecy for hundreds of years, but the Talokanils became more exposed due to the movie. Namor does not think highly of the surface world and how they have treated his people. On the one hand, his newfound truce with Wakanda and Shuri could all be part of his master plan to go to war with humanity, as Namor could hope to unite them against a common enemy. However, it also seems that Talokan will be patient with any potential war efforts.

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Is Nakia’s Son Going To Return? Will Toussaint Become Black Panther?

The surprise of Nakia’s son with T’Challa appearing in the post-credits creates more Black Panther: Wakanda Forever unanswered questions. Prince Toussaint’s introduction should signify that he will return in the MCU, although that is currently not confirmed. Audiences could see Nakia’s son return in Black Panther 3 or much further down the road depending on Marvel’s plans for him. Since his non-Haitian name is T’Challa, there is a chance that Toussaint will be the MCU’s next Black Panther whenever Shuri gives up the mantle. This will not happen for many years at this stage, but Toussaint will likely become Black Panther.

Are The Thunderbolts Going To War With Wakanda Next?

Audiences might need to prepare to see the Thunderbolts go to war with Wakanda after Black Panther 2. Marvel already confirmed Valentina is behind the Thunderbolts team formation, so the tease that she desperately wants vibranium in the final MCU Phase 4 movie is telling. Val’s motivations and plans for the future are more unanswered questions for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but the movie might be setting up Wakanda as the Thunderbolts movie villain if the team is tasked with getting Val her coveted vibranium.

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