This Monday, Marvel dropped an internet-shattering sizzle reel for Phase 4 of the MCU that revealed a ton of new info about what’s to come in the world’s favorite franchise. As well as unveiling the first footage from Eternals, it also confirmed a few release dates as well as rechristening a couple of upcoming movies. Namely, Captain Marvel 2 is now going by The Marvels and Black Panther 2 has been given the subtitle Wakanda Forever.
As we all know, Chadwick Boseman sadly passed away last summer shortly before work on the sequel was due to begin. Director Ryan Googler went back to the drawing board and devised a new pitch for the film that we’ve been told will respect Boseman’s memory but also switch the focus to the incredible supporting cast of the first effort. And given that this is its mission statement, the title Wakanda Forever is perfect. Not only that, but it seems that fans are getting a bit emotional over it on social media, as you can see below.
https://twitter.com/keeIeys/status/1389231225911582720
Black Panther 2 being called Wakanda Forever, I just have to go cry for a hot second
— Kåt in her holy revival era ✨🦋💚 (@murphsskairipa) May 3, 2021
I definitely didn't cry at Wakanda Forever
— Brayan Playz (@BrayanPlayz17) May 3, 2021
the title of black panther 2 being wakanda forever… i cried
— a ❦ (@peterstingles) May 3, 2021
I’m not crying 🥺
ETERNALS
FAMTASTIC 4
BLACK PANTHER 2 TITLE
CAPTAIN MARVEL2 TITLE https://t.co/PZ9shIKFCn— BLUEjay (@SOLARPSYCHO) May 3, 2021
https://twitter.com/paulo_licup/status/1389217416152969219
Give thanks to Marvel.
https://twitter.com/svmberg/status/1389221219136729096
If you’re not crying now, you will be when the movie actually gets here.
i can’t imagine a better title for black panther 2 im going to cry so much
— erika (@eternalsariana) May 3, 2021
We’re going back to Wakanda.
https://twitter.com/sightiess/status/1389209231212023809
Tears will be shed.
Fantastic 4 logo looking great!!
Wakanda Forever will make me cry!
Jolie in Eternals!
Of course, Multiverse of Madness!
Marvel is stacked! pic.twitter.com/KUKfEyHp2d— Aaron A. Bedoya (@abedoya89) May 3, 2021
No one’s going to be ready.
Y’all already know they’re gonna do a “Paul Walker Tribute” level tear fest for Chadwick in “Wakanda Forever”, song and everything. I’m not ready. pic.twitter.com/VQJsRqmElp
— It Was All a Dream, I Used to Read Wizard Magazine (@UpToTASK) May 3, 2021
There’s no better way to pay tribute.
https://twitter.com/MisAnthro_Pony/status/1389207214607511561
Plot details on the follow-up are being kept under wraps, but it’s thought that there will be some battle for the throne between King T’Challa’s allies and enemies. Actress Lupita Nyong’o has stated that she “feels good” about going back to work on the sequel as she trusts Coogler to honor Boseman’s legacy in the movie, and though it’s hard to imagine exactly how the franchise will move forward without him, it’s sure to be a powerful entry in the MCU.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled to release on July 8th, 2022, making it the seventh out of eight Marvel films we have coming our way over the next two years. The final two entries in Phase 4 then follow in 2023 – Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania in February and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in May.