Marvel Studios is moving forward with the Black Panther franchise, but the studio will not recast Chadwick Boseman’s King T’Challa.
Instead, the movie will pay tribute to the character and the late actor and rely on other characters that appeared in the film, according to Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios chief. Ryan Coogler is still on board to write and direct the film. It’s scheduled to be released on July 8th, 2022.
Boseman died earlier this year at the age of 43 after battling colon cancer for four years. The actor, who appeared in a number of films including Disney’s Captain America: Civil War and Black Panther, was supposed to appear in the sequel.
“Chadwick’s passing is absolutely devastating,” Kevin Feige, head of Marvel Studios, said in a statement at the time of his death. “He was our T’Challa, our Black Panther, and our dear friend. Each time he stepped on set, he radiated charisma and joy, and each time he appeared on screen, he created something truly indelible. He embodied a lot of amazing people in his work, and nobody was better at bringing great men to life. He was as smart and kind and powerful and strong as any person he portrayed. Now he takes his place alongside them as an icon for the ages.”
More details about the film will be announced closer to the film’s release date.
