Daniel Kaluuya reportedly not returning to ‘Black Panther’ sequel

It appears to be farewell to Daniel Kaluuya’s W’Kabi character in Black Panther as the actor will reportedly not return for the anticipated sequel. According to a Rotten Tomatoes exclusive, the actor reportedly shared that his absence was due to scheduling conflicts with Jordan Peele’s upcoming film Nope.

Both films began filming in June 2021. Wakanda Forever, however, suffered multiple delays which saw it finally wrap principal photography in March 2022.

In the original film, Kaluuya plays Okoye’s (Danai Gurira) lover and warrior chief of the Border Tribe.

Peele’s Nope will see the Academy award-winning actor star alongside Keke Palmer in the story set on a Californian horse ranch and follows its caretakers after they encounter a mysterious force that affects human and animal behavior.

Meanwhile Wakanda Forever is expected to launch in cinemas on November 11, 2022 with Letitia Wright’s character reportedly leading the story. Other stars reprising their roles include Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Winston Duke, Danny Spani, and Angela Bassett. Emmy winner Michaela Coel also joins the cast.

Marvel debunks Letitia Wright’s ‘Black Panther’ exit & calls to recast T’Challa

Marvel has shut down new rumors suggesting that British actress, Letitia Wright has shunned the ongoing ‘Wakanda Forever’ production due to her anti-vax views.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, a Marvel source dispelled the rumors making the rounds while confirming that the actress will return to set as scheduled in January to continue filming for the anticipated sequel.

Wright’s speculated exit comes in the wake of a video of her questioning the safety of Covid-19 vaccinations, an unarguable red flag especially as the production company has maintained its view of having vaccinated cast or crew on production sets.

Rumors of Wright’s exit recently sparked a Twitter trend with fans calling for the recasting of Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa’s character. Recall that Marvel had repeatedly maintained that the character would not be recast.

Black Panther’s ‘Wakanda Forever’ will see cast Daniel Kaluuya, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett and Duke Winston return to reprise their roles with the plot rumoured to center around Wright’s character Shuri.

Black Panther’s T’Challa will not return to MCU – Marvel studio

Marvel studios VP of Development Nate Moore has shut down rumors that the studio will recast the T’Challa character in the forthcoming ‘Black Panther’ sequel or in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In a recent Ringer verse podcast interview, Moore clarified that the character formerly played by deceased movie star Chadwick Boseman had been laid to rest and there are no discussions on recasting.

Moore’s comment echoes Disney and Marvel’s announcement early on in the year that the character will not be recast in honor of Boseman who passed on in 2020 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

Meanwhile, filming reportedly paused for ‘Wakanda Forever’ months after actress Letitia Wright suffered injuries on set. According to major headlines, production will resume in a few weeks just in time for Wright’s return.

While plot details of the new sequel are being kept under wraps, Marvel CEO Kevin Feige revealed in 2020 that it will focus on Wakanda itself. The sequel will premiere in theatres on November 11, 2022.