[The following contains mild spoilers for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”.]

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, the long awaited sequel to 2018’s Black Panther released on November 11th 2022. This film is a piece about grief and loss, and is a beautiful continuation of a rich universe woven with a heartfelt tribute to Boseman’s legacy.

Actor and title character Chadwick Boseman, age 43 at the time of his passing, was a gift to our world taken back too soon. An inspiration for many and a shining talent, the famed actor passed away in 2020 due to complications from a quiet battle with colon cancer. His untimely death left a hole in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also in the hearts of family, friends, colleagues, and fans around the world. The long awaited release of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has allowed many to grieve and celebrate.

Boseman died prior to filming for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” began, but the script had been completed. His death left the story of the Black Panther and the people of Wakanda hanging in mid air as the movie was going to be about his T’Challa character.

Perhaps the hardest part of bringing Wakanda back on the big screen was dealing with the very real idea of living in a world without Chadwick Boseman at all.

Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman’s death was a shock that rattled the world. Prior to his passing he never revealed his diagnosis with cancer to the public. His last appearance was a posthumous voice role as T’Challa in the animated series Marvel’s What If? Which he won an Emmy for.

In 2013 Boseman’s career gained momentum with his breakthrough role as Jackie Robinson in the biopic 42. He truly made it into the public’s eye after his performance as King T’Challa in Captain America: Civil War followed by the groundbreaking movie that was 2018’s Black Panther.

At the time of his 2020 death, then President-Elect Joe Biden said, “[he]Inspired generations and showed them they can be anything they want, even superheroes”.

Boseman’s choice of roles were important to him and he used his craft to bring stories to those that didn’t always feel “seen”.

Black Panther was a major movie, breaking barriers by having an almost entirely African American cast, with much of the fictional world based on or inspired from African cultures. The 2018 movie broke records at the box office and was an absolute breakout hit. In traditional Marvel movie fashion a sequel was quickly announced, simply titled “Black Panther II” at the time.

Between the time the film was announced and the planned release, the tragic loss of Boseman occurred leaving the world wondering what was next. It was soon after announced that they would not recast T’Challa and use the movie to pay tribute to the late actor.

Forever

The movie follows King T’Challa’s sister Princess Shuri’s, played by Guyanese-British actress Letitia Wright, as she embarks on her journey of grief after losing her brother and her new role in her kingdom. The passing of T’Challa was handled with respect and left intentionally unspecific, allowing the audience to feel through their own emotions for the loss of Boseman.

The main premise of the movie is paralleling Shuri with her own grief and self-doubt against a new antagonist, Namor. The king of the Incan-inspired underwater nation of Talokan, Namor is a powerful foe who attacks when the nation of Wakanda is at its weakest.

Namor tells Shuri, “my ancestors would often say only the most broken people can be great leaders”

The film beautifully shows a nation in mourning, and the effects of a great loss echoing throughout the world. Showing how some will sit in respect, while others use loss as opportunity.

“Wakanda Forever” illustrates that the superhero blockbuster can be more than fast action and cheesy one-liners, by telling a beautifully crafted story, all dedicated to the late and great Chadwick Boseman.

“T’Challa Is Dead, But That Doesn’t Mean He’s Gone.” -Queen Ramonda