Disney Facing Dilemma On How To Move ‘Black Panther’ Forward Without Chadwick Boseman

The studio wants to take the time to grieve the late star rather than rewriting the 'Black Panther' sequel.

Marvel Studios Chadwick Boseman Black Panther Marvel Cinematic Universe Disney

Disney is currently facing a major issue with how to move forward with the Black Panther franchise after the death of Chadwick Boseman.

While fans are still reeling over the death of Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman, a new report suggests Disney isn’t focused on fixing the upcoming sequel. The conversation has understandably come up across social media as to how Disney and Marvel could move forward with the Black Panther series without Boseman, but many fans also feel it’s too soon to be discussing the future of Wakanda when the heartbreaking loss is still so recent. And a new report from The Hollywood says that Disney is following that very sentiment.

The report explained that since Chadwick Boseman had kept his diagnosis private from Disney and Marvel, the news was a complete shock to executives. Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige was apparently sent an urgent email explaining the star had taken a turn for the worse, but didn’t read it until after Boseman had passed away. The report went on to say that the studio is reportedly not looking to rewriting Black Panther 2 just yet and is instead taking the time to grieve the late star. The online discussion surrounding the situation has already suggested that Letitia Wright’s Shuri pick up the Black Panther mantle following T’Challa’s death, like she did in the comics – but it’s far too soon to start speculating the specific details of the sequel.

As shared by his representative, Chadwick Boseman was diagnosed with stage III color cancer in 2016 and fought the disease for four years as it progressed to stage IV. He passed away at his home in Los Angeles, surrounded by his wife and loved ones.

Chadwick Boseman began his acting career in television, landing his first role in 2003. Boseman’s big break came much later with his portrayal of baseball legend Jackie Robinson in the Brian Helgeland-directed biopic 42. He then gained further recognition for his work as James Brown in Tate Taylor’s Get on Up.

Following his roles as Jackie Robinson and James Brown, Chadwick Boseman was cast as T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor made his debut as the iconic Marvel character in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War before reprising the role in the standalone film Black Panther, directed by Ryan Coogler. Boseman’s Black Panther was then seen in Avengers: Infinity War and its follow-up Endgame.

Chadwick Boseman was last seen in Spike Lee’s Netflix film Da 5 Bloods. Prior to that, Boseman starred in the Brian Kirk-directed action thriller 21 Bridges, which was produced by Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame helmers Joe and Anthony Russo. His final film, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, is expected to hit Netflix later this year.

Source: THR

Eammon Jacobs

Eammon Jacobs

British dork who can be found online raving about how good Tron: Legacy is.