During an interview with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Letitia Wright opened up about her experience on the sets of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. In the conversation, Wright further dives into the film and the crew’s connection to Chadwick Boseman, which they all felt while making the movie. When Fallon asked what Wright could tell everyone about the movie, the actress responded,

After she gave in her perspective on the sequel, she shared a more personal note on her experiences while shooting the film and told everyone that she feels Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is more of a “contribution to Chadwick’s legacy.”

Well, firstly I can tell you, you know, the first movie did so well. You know, we made a cultural impact and change. And this film is… We’re trying to follow that, you know, of inspiring everybody that goes to see it. We have new cast members, such as Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel. So it’s jam-packed with lots of adventures.

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Though Letitia Wright avoided revealing anything about who’ll be donning the costume in the sequel, it’s almost certain that Shuri could be the one to take on the mantle after her brother. It’s an idea well illustrated in the comic books, and given now that Letitia Wright has taken the central lead in the film seems more and more plausible.

I feel, for me, it’s a beautiful contribution to Chadwick’s legacy. I feel like it’s a love letter to him. I know every day that I went on set, I focused my energy on – on each scene to dedicate it to him. I wanted to dedicate excellence to this film so that he could be proud.

Honoring Chadwick Boseman in Wakanda Forever

     Marvel Studios, Disney.

During the pre-production of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Chadwick Boseman passed away after secretly battling cancer for years. No one at Marvel had known of his condition as the actor continued to shoot for his projects while going through chemotherapies and other treatments for his condition.

As Wright said, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an attempt from the cast members and the filmmakers to honor Chadwick’s dedication to his work and craft as an actor, which resulted in Black Panther becoming a cultural icon. It was also visible in the trailer. In the first look, as Wakandans face a new threat, the impact of Chadwick’s T’Challa’s absence could be felt in every frame.

As Marvel Studios has decided not to recast the role, it is almost certain that the character might meet his end in the MCU, which is sure to drive emotions in theaters. But even then, Chadwick’s impact on the franchise and the acclaim his portrayal brought to the MCU will remain alive.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will release on November 11, 2022. Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’O, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Martin Freeman, Danai Gurira, and Florence Kasumba reprise their respective roles from previous MCU installments. Tenoch Huerta, Michaela Coel, and Dominique Thorne will join in the cast, with the lattermost slated to appear as Ironheart in her series later.