On August 28, the world was stunned by the news that Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman had died of colon cancer. The 43-year-old had privately been fighting the illness for the last four years and only a few close friends and associates knew outside of his family. Even Marvel boss Kevin Feige didn’t know, receiving an urgent email just an hour before the actor’s death.
Photographers had snapped the star looking thinner than usual, earlier this year.
And according to The Hollywood Reporter, a source close to Boseman said the actor had been “convinced” until a week before he died that he would beat cancer, and could get back into superhero shape before starting work on Black Panther 2.
The sequel is currently set for release on May 6, 2022, and was due to begin production in March.
While Boseman had been set to start preparing for Black Panther 2 this September.
READ MORE: Chadwick Boseman dead: Black Panther star dies of cancer aged 43
Marvel boss Kevin Feige’s tribute to Chadwick Boseman read: “Chadwick’s passing is absolutely devastating.
“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.”
There are a number of options of what to do with Black Panther 2, which will presumably need to be largely re-written.
It currently seems unlikely that Boseman will be recast, as such a move would probably see great fan backlash.
Instead, the Black Panther mantle, which was carried by T’Challa’s father before him, can be passed on.
The most likely candidate to receive it next is Letitia Wright’s Shuri, the Wakandan King’s sister.
In fact, this happens in the Marvel Comics, so wouldn’t be entirely out of the blue.
Although, how the MCU deal with Black Panther’s death or absence will be a challenge.
After all, T’Challa died in Thanos’ Snap during Avengers Infinity War, before being resurrected with Shuri in Avengers Endgame.
Whatever happens, no doubt Black Panther 2 will pay great tribute to the late Boseman.