Black Panther has proven over time to be one of Marvel’s biggest cinematic successes. Not only was it one of 2018’s biggest box office hits and an Oscar nominee, it also seems to have established a sort of foundation for the next phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Without delving too far into spoilers, it’s fair to say Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame could not have been what they were without not only the character of Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), but the world that surrounds him.
Now, with the MCU facing dramatic post-Endgame changes, this world may be the most complex and interesting thing Marvel has going for it on the big screen. So naturally, we’ve joined Marvel fans around the world in wondering what’s next for it.
The Announced Sequel
To no one’s surprise, there is a sequel to Black Panther in development already (to be called Black Panther 2, as far as we know). There aren’t too many details known about the follow-up to the 2018 blockbuster just yet, though there are some surprising rumors making the rounds. For instance, recent reports have actually hinted at a reprisal of Michael B. Jordan’s Killmonger character. Given that (spoiler alert) this character actually died at the end of the first film, this suggests either some sort of elaborate flashback work, or possibly a prequel, though the latter seems unlikely. Nevertheless, we know that at least one more Black Panther-centric film is on the way, and probably more in time.
Character Spinoffs
Given the expansive community introduced in Black Panther and the variety of potential backstories it made room for, it also seems fairly likely that we’ll see character spinoffs at one point or another. These could happen through film, but it’s also worth remembering that there is planned Marvel content on the forthcoming Disney+ streaming services as well. So we could conceivably see streaming shows or straight-to-streaming films that involve Black Panther characters as well.
We’ve been excited about Lupita Nyong’o’s character since before Black Panther even came out, and given that she may be the film’s biggest movie star, said character (Nakia) is certainly a prime candidate for a spinoff. Meanwhile, Letitia Wright was something of a breakout star in the first film, playing the role of Shuri, and could certainly lead her own project. And of course, there’s room for that potential Killmonger prequel in spinoff form as well.
Video Games
To date, Black Panther’s biggest presence in gaming has been through all-encompassing Marvel games such as the mobile Future Fight or the online MMO game. However, there are plenty of opportunities for new titles based on the film or its characters. More mobile titles are certainly within Marvel’s reach, though the company seems to have slowed down on this front. Similarly, some of the free online pokie games popular in New Zealand and the United Kingdom have traditionally involved superhero themes – but here, too, Marvel has halted development for the time being, and in fact pulled most of its existing slot arcades.
Mobile and pokie games may be the quickest routes to Black Panther games, should Marvel wish to explore them, but fans will likely be hoping for something bigger in the form of a full console title. Given Marvel’s stated desire to create better video games in the coming years, an open-world Wakanda game actually seems possible, and could be an absolute wonder as this world within the MCU continues to expand.
A Real Wakanda
Last but certainly not least, we can just image the creation of a “real” Wakanda in theme park form – and apparently, it’s going to happen! A Wakanda-themed park is in the works, set to have immersive rides and attractions as well as various exhibitions of African history and heritage. The specifics of where it is or when it will be completed aren’t known yet, though Nigeria has been suggested as one possible home for such a park.
Altogether this is quite a lot to consider. And even if these additions and expansions to the Black Panther world are hypothetical in some cases and lack specifics in others, one thing is clear: this world is going places, and could soon be the biggest property under the Marvel banner.
