Just like Chris Evans before him, Michael B. Jordan’s first outing into the superhero genre was a starring role in Fantastic Four, where he suited up as the headstrong Jonathan “Johnny” Storm.
And just like Chris Evans before him, the MCU successfully redeemed the actor, after the Creed star snagged the part of Erik “Killmonger” Stevens for Black Panther. He was without a doubt one of the most intriguing and complex characters in all of Wakanda, and it’s a credit to Jordan, as well as the whole team behind the movie, that Killmonger’s arc never strained credulity.
The result? A formidable, deeply nuanced antagonist and a worthy opponent for T’Challa to square off against. All of this begs the question, though: will Michael B. Jordan return for Black Panther 2? Well, the actor certainly hopes to, and rumors say that he’ll be back, but how exactly could Killmonger be seen on screen again given that he died in the first film?
Well, a new rumor from our old friend Roger Wardell may provide the answer. For those not familiar with Mr. Wardell, he’s an anonymous Twitter user who has a near-perfect track record when it comes to Marvel scoops. No one knows who he really is, mind you, but the guy is almost always right with his intel and when he shares something, it’s worth looking into.
This week, he’s revealed that yes, Killmonger will return in an unexpected way. And that’s because he won’t be resurrected with Wakanda technology, which is what everyone seems to believe will happen. Rather, he’ll exist in Wakanda’s spiritual plane. Furthermore, Wardell says that the sequel will be “politically charged” and tease the arrival Queen Divine Justice, a character that those who read the comics should be familiar with.
But circling back to Killmonger, and given that his arc concluded pretty perfectly in Black Panther, it may not be the best move to bring him back for the sequel. Then again, if anyone can pull it off, it’s Kevin Feige and the team at Marvel Studios, right?