The stars of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is remembering Chadwick Boseman. Image Source: People 

The stars of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is remembering Chadwick Boseman.

At Comic-Con in San Diego, the much-anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer debuted. It is supposed to be more than just a continuation of one of Marvel's most beloved superhero tales; it is also a moving memorial to the late actor Chadwick Boseman, who played the original Black Panther.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige spoke to Entertainment Tonight’s Matt Cohen at the Comic-Con in San Diego and shared how they had all come up together to pay their homage to Chadwick Boseman and embrace the impact and his legacy that he had left on the world. When Matt Cohen noted that Chadwick Boseman’s spirit seems to be pushing through the cast of the movie as everyone got a little emotional during the premiere of the trailer, especially director and writer Ryan Coogler, Kevin agreed and said he is.

Kevin continued that Ryan Coogler had some beautiful words at the top of the panel for Chadwick Boseman and felt him on his shoulder still and mentioned that the last time the team was altogether on that stage, Chadwick was with them and it was beautiful. The President added that it’s important that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever not only bring the same amount of joy and enthusiasm to the audience as the original film but also touch on the legacy of the original Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) left behind.

Kevin Feige said that the movie is a tribute to what he did and what he brought, not just to them but to the world. When the trailer was released, the director and writer Ryan Coogler said that it’s been five years since he was there and that standing in front of the audience with everyone makes him feel like Chadwick is here with them putting his arms on his shoulder just like he did when they premiere Black Panther's trailer. Ryan Coogler said that even though Chadwick Boseman is no longer with us physically, his spirit, culture, and impact on the industry will forever be felt.

Matt Cohen also spoke to the actress Lupita Nyong'o, who stars in the movie as Nakia, about how they all came together as a group to not only make the movie but also pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman’s legacy. Lupita said that there is something about the alchemy that Ryan Coogler puts together and it starts at the top as he sets a certain tone and culture on the set that everyone’s all hands on deck. She added that it’s teamwork, familial and intimate, and then you sort of go through the fire together, and she mentioned that there were fires but it brought all of them together.

Lupita said that it was emotional to watch the trailer premiere for the first time at Comic-Con and described it as seeing the fruits of their labor up there, and they are just bigger than any of them. She added that they are all little pieces of puzzles, but then to see all of them coming together is moving, before adding that to see what it means to the audience is something visceral about that particular story that brings tears to their eyes.

Actress Letitia Wright, who plays Shuri, Chadwick Boseman’s sister in the movie, shared that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a family that cares about not only honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy but also carrying on his torch in the sequel. Letitia mentioned that they are a family and now the family has extended a bit since the movie has some new members joining but echoed the same sentiments as Lupita that it’s a great alignment of souls and people who care and want to honor the legacy that they are trying to carry on of what Chadwick Boseman started and they are simply grateful to have each other.

Winston Duke also spoke to Matt Cohen and echoed very similar sentiments explaining how the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever family expresses their grief over losing one of their cohorts and a great friend and said that the magic of Black Panther is deeply rooted in the sense of family and the collective. Winston added that the collective gets to express the individual pain, trials, and things that they go through.

The actor continued that art reflects life here so everyone will get to the entire Black Panther: Wakanda Forever family collectively expressing their grief over losing Chadwick Boseman and added that it is a very emotional moment for them. Chadwick Boseman passed away in August 2020 after battling colon cancer privately and it was later announced that no actor will be casted to play King T'Challa the character that Chadwick Boseman played. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled to release on November 11th, 2022, and is going to be the final movie in phase 4 of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.