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In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the character T’Challa was written out following the passing of Chadwick Boseman, the actor who brought him to life. Instead of recasting T’Challa, Marvel has shifted the focus to his sister, Shuri, portrayed by Letitia Wright, as the new Black Panther. However, whispers have emerged about a potential return of T’Challa in the upcoming “Avengers: Doomsday.” Curious about the possibility of a new Wakandan king? Watch the video above for more insights.
Speculation about a new Black Panther started swirling when Mushk Rizvi, a senior concept and visual development artist at Marvel Studios, shared some preproduction artwork for “Avengers: Doomsday” on her ArtStation profile. Although she quickly removed the images, they were preserved by eagle-eyed fans. One particular piece showed Black Panther gazing into the distance, clad in his iconic suit but with distinctly different facial features from Boseman. Given Rizvi’s longstanding association with Marvel, this artwork lends weight to the theory that it offers a glimpse of future developments.
Rumors began to fly about a Black Panther recast when Mushk Rizvi, a senior concept and visual development artist for Marvel Studios, posted some preproduction art for “Avengers: Doomsday” to her ArtStation account. The images were swiftly deleted, but have been preserved. One picture sees Black Panther wearing his familiar costume while staring out into the distance — and the character doesn’t sport Boseman’s facial features. Rizvi has worked with Marvel for a long time, so this adds a layer of credibility to the notion that her work is a genuine preview of what’s to come.
How might the MCU introduce a new T’Challa? Enter the multiverse. By bringing in an alternate version of T’Challa from another Earth, the franchise can honor Chadwick Boseman’s legacy while introducing a fresh perspective. If “Avengers: Doomsday” uses this multiverse twist to unveil a new Black Panther, it wouldn’t be the first time the MCU has toyed with alternate realities.
A notable instance of such multiverse manipulation occurred with Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) in “Avengers: Endgame.” Initially, their love story was thwarted by time’s relentless march. After Peggy’s death, and despite Steve’s attempts to adapt to the modern era, he ultimately decides to forge a new path following the Snap. After returning the Infinity Stones and Mjolnir to their rightful places, Steve travels back to the 1940s to marry Peggy. He later passes the mantle of Captain America to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
This wouldn’t be the first time the MCU has played with time for a plotline
Marvel Studios
Whether Steve created a separate timeline or stayed within the main MCU continuity is a topic of debate among “Endgame” creators, including directors the Russo brothers and the film’s writers. This narrative flexibility suggests that T’Challa’s story could also evolve through similar temporal storytelling. This new version might have undergone different experiences, yet he remains a beloved iteration of the lost king. Interested in learning more about the potential new Black Panther? Check out Looper’s video linked above.
One infamous example of this is how the fates of Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) were changed in “Avengers: Endgame.” Cap and Peggy’s already-strange relationship is originally lost to the vagaries of time. After a long, star-crossed separation they reunite, only to be parted by Peggy’s death. Eventually, and in spite of Steve’s attempt at establishing himself in the modern world, he chooses to reinvent himself in the wake of the Snap. After returning the Infinity Stones and Mjolnir to their proper places, Steve goes back to the 1940s and marries Peggy. Years later, he cedes the moniker of Captain America to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).
Whether Steve creates an alternate universe to do this or stays within the main MCU timeline is debated even by “Endgame” directors the Russo brothers and the writers of the film. But all of this is proof that T’Challa’s tale could be continued thanks to similar timeline trickery. He might have different experiences under his belt, but he would still be a version of the lost king we all know and love. Want to know more about the possible new Black Panther on the block? Click on Looper’s video above.
