‘Black Panther 2’ confirmed, likely for 2021

Marvel Studios exec Kevin Feige spoke to Entertainment Weekly about what the future of the MCU holds, specifically about the sequel and plans following their recent smash hit, Black Panther. Fans are interested in possible spin-offs for supporting characters like Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Okoye (Danai Gurira).

“I think there’s lots of potential. It’s a balance between leaving people wanting more and then giving them too much, but I would watch a movie about any of those characters you just named. I think Shuri’s astounding, and you’ll see much more of her in our universe. Okoye, I think I’d watch three action films just Okoye. I’m not saying we’re doing that, but I’m saying that we’re intrigued by them. Frankly, as I’ve said before, finishing these first 22 movies is really all we’re thinking about at this point.”

Feige was asked whether he had anything he could disclose about Black Panther 2.

“Nothing specific to reveal, other than to say we absolutely will do that. One of the favorite pastimes at Marvel Studios is sitting around on a Part One and talking and dreaming about what we would do in a Part Two. There have been plenty of those conversations as we were putting together the first Black Panther. We have ideas and a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one.”

It’s no secret that the contracts for Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth and Robert Downey Jr. are ending and the studio is looking to build around the two new big stars: Chadwick Boseman and Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Dispatch’s own Brandon Jones has been covering these projects extensively over the decade and had this to say to me.

“There is nobody better than Marvel right now at mapping out a long-term vision with incredible attention being placed on the individual films along the way. I won’t be surprised to see the big three you mentioned (Evans, Hemsworth and RDJ) show up in cameos or lesser roles, much like what we saw in Spider-Man Homecoming, but the baton has been passed.

“I think Disney, Marvel and Feige would love to make a Okoye and/or Shuri film, but it’s more likely that we’ll see them all team-up in the Black Widow film and next concept project: like a Secret Avengers or West Coast Avengers project to throw different components together.”

When asked about a release date, Brandon said he expected to learn more this summer, “likely at San Diego Comic-Con” with a 2021 date likely: “They take about three years in between…based on the past schedule.”