Daniel Kaluuya, who played W’Kabi in 2018’s Black Panther, will not be returning for the sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the actor recently spoke about why he’s not coming back.

It had previously been reported that scheduling conflicts were the sole reason for Daniel Kaluuya’s absence from the MCU sequel. However, based on recent comments from the actor, it sounds like W’Kabi’s absence from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever may have been a creative decision.

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Daniel Kaluuya has said he’s excited for the film, which will explore more of Wakanda and characters beyond T’Challa, following the death of Chadwick Boseman.

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In a recent interview with Variety, Daniel Kaluuya appeared to confirm that his absence from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was more about story than practicality.

“It’s what’s best for the story, what’s best for the film,” the actor said when talking about the fact he wouldn’t be coming back to Marvel for Wakanda Forever. “I’m excited for it. I’m excited to watch it,” Kaluuya added, expressing his continued support for the Black Panther franchise.

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When asked about the trailer for the upcoming Marvel sequel, Kaluuya said “Of course I’ve seen it! It’s amazing.” The W’Kabi actor appears to still be particularly invested in the Black Panther series even after his departure.

Of course, this may raise some questions over whether Daniel Kaluuya will be returning to Marvel in future for other projects set in Wakanda. “You know I can’t tell you!” he says, when asked about this possibility.

It sounds like W’Kabi’s absence from Wakanda Forever may have been a deliberate decision, following the character’s dark turn and presumed imprisonment in the first Black Panther film, rather than a necessity brought about by Kaluuya’s busy schedule as he worked on Jordan Peele’s Nope.

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Here is the synopsis for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever:

“In Marvel Studios’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.”

Directed by Ryan Coogler from a script he co-wrote with Joe Robert Cole, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Florence Kasumba, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Tenoch Huerta, Martin Freeman, and Angela Bassett.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit theaters on November 11, 2022. Stay tuned for all the latest news on the upcoming MCU film, and subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original content.

Source: Variety