A new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever dropped today (October 3, 2022), and delivered the news (more or less) of exactly who would be stepping into the shoes of the titular role, following the passing of the late Chadwick Boseman. The choice has divided opinions across the internet, with some Marvel fans excited to see how things play out, and others disappointed that the MCU didn’t go in a different direction. Here is the reaction to the trailer and the new Black Panther actor.
Wakanda Forever trailer reaction: Who is the new Black Panther actor?
The end of the new trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever confirms that Shuri is taking on the mantle of the Wakandan superhero. Though we don’t get a look at Letitia Wright’s face under the mask, the eye makeup matches that which her character wears when she isn’t suited up. While both Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia or Danai Gurira’s Okoye could also be hiding beneath the outfit, it would be strange of them to adopt Shuri’s style for its design. A new poster for the film was also unveiled, which put Shuri front-and-center, further cementing her as the movie’s lead.
#WakandaForever. November 11. pic.twitter.com/nKD4YxxOJ3
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) October 3, 2022
love how they incorporated shuri’s dot markings on the black panther mask #WakandaForever pic.twitter.com/Wu81adsGO8
— ken (@wandaslizzie) October 3, 2022
Some are excited to see what Shuri can do with her new tech-led suit, but others wanted a different approach, with one Twitter user writing that those who are “antivax… don’t deserve multi-year contracts in the biggest franchise in the world.” This refers to the actor, Letitia Wright, and her stance on the COVID-19 vaccine. Another person took a swing at the star, writing: “Too bad that a tech genius Shuri is played by someone who is so far away from science.”
Still, the positive reactions, for now, far outweigh the negative. One MCU fan said that the new Black Panther costume was “beautiful” and “perfect,” while another said that the reveal had left them “in tears.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits movie theaters on November 11, 2022.
In other news, She-Hulk episode 7 introduced Man-Bull, El Aguila, Porcupine, and Saracen to the MCU, and actors Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman confirmed Logan is canon following their Deadpool 3 and Wolverine Twitter announcement.
