4 Years Later, The MCU Finally Confirms Its Black Panther Change

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The new movie, Avengers: Doomsday, officially confirms a change to the Black Panther character that was hinted at four years ago. Chadwick Boseman originally played Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but sadly passed away in 2020 after privately fighting colon cancer. As a result, the storyline shifted, and Letitia Wright’s character, Shuri, has now become the new Black Panther.

Following the death of T’Challa, the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced his son, Toussaint, who also carries the Wakandan name T’Challa. This meant that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, widely considered one of the best MCU films, effectively established two successors to the original Black Panther. Now, a recent trailer for Avengers: Doomsday has confirmed a third potential replacement.

Marvel’s New Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Confirms A 4-Year MCU Tease

A new trailer for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday has been released in theaters alongside Avatar: Fire and Ash. The trailer features returning characters from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, including Shuri, M’Baku, Namor, and Namora. We also get a glimpse of The Thing from the Fantastic Four, who has a conversation that confirms a hint made in the Marvel Cinematic Universe four years prior.

I was really surprised at the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever when Shuri decided she didn’t want to be queen, stepping away from the legacy of her family. It seemed like M’Baku was stepping up to claim the throne through Wakanda’s traditions, and the new Avengers: Doomsday trailer just confirmed it – M’Baku is officially the new King of Wakanda! It’s exciting to see where they take his story.

The latest Avengers trailer includes a surprising moment: M’Baku encounters The Thing, who introduces himself with his classic line, “Ben. Yancy Street, between Broome and Grand.” This fulfills a hint Marvel made four years ago during the first Black Panther movie, and sets the stage for the upcoming Black Panther 3, currently in development. With T’Challa gone, three characters are now poised to take on his mantle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Shuri, M’Baku, and his son, Toussaint/T’Challa.

Why M’Baku Makes More Sense As Wakanda’s King Than Shuri

Chadwick Boseman’s character, T’Challa, had two key responsibilities in Wakanda: he was both its king and the Black Panther, following in his father’s footsteps. After his death, Angela Bassett’s character, Ramona, became queen. It felt right for her not to also become the Black Panther, as the role seemed better suited to someone younger.

Honestly, I think Shuri could have easily handled being both Black Panther and queen, but I actually agree with the direction Marvel took. Making Shuri the Black Panther feels right, and having M’Baku become king is brilliant. He’s from a different tribe, which is exactly what Wakanda needs right now to heal and come together after everything with Talokan. Plus, it’s amazing to see another Wakandan character step into a major role – it really elevates the whole Black Panther story and gives us so much more to look forward to!

Shuri hasn’t shown any interest in ruling a kingdom; she’s too adventurous and independent for that life. She’s eager to explore the world, and the trailer for the new Avengers: Doomsday highlights the contrast between her desires and the responsibilities of a king. Shuri explains that a king focuses on preparing people for death, but her path is different – she’s destined to be a warrior in Avengers: Doomsday.

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2026-01-09 22:30