Since actor Chadwick Boseman’s death in 2020, fans have been curious to know how the sequel would move forward without him.
His absence is addressed early in the trailer, which was released during Marvel Studios’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday.
T’Challa’s sister Shuri (Letitia Wright) and mother Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) are seen walking side-by-side. The two characters, as well as the people around them dancing, wear white garments. In some cultures, the colour white symbolises mourning.
Shuri carrying the Black Panther helmet during the procession indicates that the funeral is for the superhero.
The official logline for Wakanda Forever also confirms this, stating that Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje “fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.”
Fans can also spot a large mural of Boseman’s character later in the trailer.
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The birth of Namor the Sub-Mariner is seemingly shown
The trailer features a pregnant woman underwater with another person, followed by a scene in which a baby is shown.
Namor will be played by Tenoch Huerta in Wakanda Forever and appears to have an Aztec origin.
In the comics, Namor is the mutant son of a human man and an Atlantean princess.
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Queen Ramonda might be referencing Thanos’ snap when she declares that her “entire family is gone”
In the trailer, she says: “I am Queen of the most powerful nation in the world, and my entire family is gone.” Ramonda is probably referring to Shuri when she speaks about her kin.
It’s unlikely that the trailer would spoil the death of Shuri, so the scene is likely a flashback that takes place after Thanos (Josh Brolin) wiped out half of all life in Avengers: Infinity War.
Shuri was among those who were dusted, but she was resurrected in Avengers: Endgame.
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Dominique Thorne makes her MCU debut as Riri Williams/Ironheart
The character is seen building her own suit, complete with a heart cut-out. Ironheart is a relatively new character in the comics, created in 2016 by writer Brian Michael Bendis and illustrator Mike Deodato,
In addition to her role in Wakanda Forever, Thorne will portray the character in a stand-alone Ironheart series that will release on Disney+ in fall 2023.
I May Destroy You star Michaela Coel is revealed to be playing Aneka, a Wakandan warrior
Since Coel’s involvement was revealed in July 2021, her role has been under wraps. The trailer shows her character fighting while dressed in blue armour.
In the comics, Aneka is highly skilled in combat and serves as the captain and trainer of the Dora Milaje.
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A new Black Panther successor is teased
The trailer concludes with a shot of a person wearing a black and gold suit and unsheathing their claws to fight. The upper half of the person’s body is concealed, leaving room for speculation about who will take on the mantle.
Many fans have suspected that Shuri will become the new Black Panther since the character has a similar evolution in the comics. Others believe that Okoye and Nakia are also worthy successors.
