7 Ways Killmonger Could Return in Black Panther 3?! You Won’t Believe #5!
As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I must say that Sinners has been the exhilarating shock of the Spring season. This captivating supernatural horror movie has breathed new life into 2025’s lackluster box office, offering a glimmer of optimism for analysts who believe this year could still prove to be a successful one for cinema. The film is garnering widespread acclaim, with much praise being heaped on director Ryan Coogler and leading man Michael B. Jordan, who masterfully portrays the enigmatic twins “Smoke” and “Stack.”
In a remarkable continuation of their creative partnership, Sinners marks the fifth collaboration between Coogler and Jordan, starting with the director’s debut feature film, Fruitvale Station, and extending to such projects as Creed, Black Panther, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
As a die-hard film enthusiast, I can’t help but marvel at how the Marvel Cinematic Universe continues to flourish, particularly post the phenomenal success of “Sinner.” With Michael B. Jordan gracing every single one of Ryan Coogler’s films so far, speculation among fans about his potential role in the upcoming “Black Panther 3” has reached an all-time high. Given that Jordan masterfully embodied the complex character Erik “Killmonger” Stevens in the original “Black Panther,” and reprised his role for a compelling hallucination scene in “Wakanda Forever” in 2022, there’s a lingering question about whether we’ll see him return to the Marvel fold. Despite Killmonger’s on-screen demise potentially ruling out an immediate appearance in “Black Panther 3,” Coogler has shown time and again his knack for crafting creative narratives that could plausibly bring Jordan back into the storyline of the upcoming sequel.
Shuri Saw Killmonger After Taking the Heart-Shaped Herb in Wakanda Forever
In the 2018 movie, Michael B. Jordan’s character, Killmonger, died, but he returned for a scene in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” This particular scene showcases Shuri after she consumes the Heart-Shaped Herb, a magical plant that bestows Black Panther powers. When under its influence, people usually see someone from their past they connect with. Instead of her mother or brother, Shuri is surprised to find her cousin on the Wakandan throne.
In a standout moment within the film, Michael B. Jordan’s portrayal of Killmonger leaves an indelible impression, solidifying his status as one of the most formidable villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. For Black Panther 3, the creative team might consider repeating the tactic from Black Widow’s “Wakanda Forever” scene by having Killmonger manifest through a hallucination once more. While the impact of this technique may lessen with repeated use, it presents an opportunity for director Ryan Coogler to re-integrate Jordan into the storyline. However, it is crucial to establish a compelling narrative reason for Killmonger’s return, which can be skillfully addressed as part of the overall plot development.
There Is More of Killmonger’s Story Before the First Black Panther Film
A potential method for including Michael B. Jordan in the storyline of Black Panther 3 could involve portraying Erik Killmonger in a flashback scene. Initially, audiences encounter Erik during the opening scene of Black Panther, which takes place in 1992. Later on, he reappears during the main events of the film, around two decades later. This leaves numerous untold events in Killmonger’s Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline that could be woven into the plot of Black Panther 3.
In some way or another, Killmonger’s past as a Navy SEAL could be woven into the plot of Black Panther 3, offering viewers a glimpse of him before his transformation into a supervillain. Another possibility is that the sequel might delve into how Killmonger teamed up with Ulysses Klaue and his gang of criminals prior to the events depicted in the first Black Panther film. As long as there’s a seamless link between the flashback and the narrative of Black Panther 3, there’s always an opportunity for Killmonger to make a short return.
The Multiverse Saga Makes It Possible to Introduce an All-New Killmonger
From my perspective, delving into the Multiverse Saga has undeniably sparked a wave of intriguing prospects for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The multiverse serves as a gateway to bring forth alternate versions of beloved characters, even those who were once thought gone forever. We’ve already been treated to multiversal counterparts of heroes like Spider-Man, Doctor Strange, Deadpool, and many others. As the Multiverse Saga continues to unfold, there’s a tantalizing possibility that Black Panther 3 might introduce a Killmonger variant from another realm.
Doomsday” and “Avengers: Secret Wars”. This could lead to an extended narrative for the character in “Black Panther 3”, without actually bringing back the one who perished in “Black Panther”. The MCU employed a similar approach in “Avengers: Endgame”, where they introduced a new version of Black Widow following the demise of her Earth-616 counterpart during the events of “Infinity War”.
The Original Killmonger Could Live to Fight Another Day
In superhero films like Black Panther, it’s common that characters who appear to have died can come back to life if the plot requires it. Although Killmonger seemed permanently dead at the end of Black Panther, there’s still a chance Ryan Coogler might find a way to revive him for the events of Black Panther 3. This could be done without introducing a different universe version of Killmonger, but instead bringing back the original character itself. The Marvel Cinematic Universe has numerous ways to explain away Killmonger’s resurrection, such as time travel, the use of the heart-shaped herb, or even an intervention by a cosmic being.
Ryan Coogler might ponder deeply before employing the method of resurrecting Michael B. Jordan’s character due to the potential complications it could present. While bringing a deceased character back can be an effective way to navigate storyline challenges, it doesn’t always sit well with fans who perceive it as undermining the finality of another tale. Furthermore, if one character is resurrected, it might open the door for other characters to receive similar treatment. The idea of Killmonger returning from the dead raises questions about why T’Challa, Ramonda, or T’Chaka couldn’t do the same. In essence, the prospect of such a scenario appears too chaotic and convoluted for Coogler to contemplate.
There Remains a Possibility That Michael B. Jordan’s Villain Never Died At All
In the 2018 film Black Panther, it seems that Killmonger meets his end after fighting against Black Panther. However, there’s a small chance he might have survived, as T’Challa hints at the possibility of saving him if they can bring him to a healer right away immediately following the fatal blow. Rather than accepting this offer, Killmonger elects to spend his last moments admiring the Wakandan landscape instead. The movie ends with this scene, but whatever transpires off-screen could ultimately reveal the truth about Killmonger’s survival.
As a movie aficionado, I can’t help but ponder over the intriguing speculations surrounding T’Challa’s actions after his fateful battle. Some theories propose that he honored his promise to save Killmonger by swiftly escorting him to a Wakandan medical lab. Given the cutting-edge nature of Wakandan healing tech, it’s plausible that they could have saved Killmonger before his injuries proved fatal.
It’s tantalizing to imagine that Killmonger may have survived the events of Black Panther and is now hidden away somewhere within the confines of Wakanda, perhaps without Shuri’s awareness. Ryan Coogler would undoubtedly need to provide an explanation for this omission in Wakanda Forever, but reviving a beloved antagonist in such a manner would certainly be an enticing prospect.
This Wouldn’t Be the First Time an Actor Has Played Multiple Roles in the MCU
It might appear unconventional, but if Ryan Coogler intends to involve Michael B. Jordan in Black Panther 3, he could do so by casting him in a completely new role. Actors like Michael B. Jordan have previously taken on dual roles within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). For instance, Michelle Yeoh played Aleta Ogord in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and later took on a more substantial part as Ying Nan in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Similarly, Gemma Chan, who portrays Sersi, the MCU’s most significant Eternal, initially starred as Minn-Erva in Captain Marvel. Consequently, it wouldn’t be entirely unparalleled for Michael B. Jordan to assume an entirely distinct character in the upcoming Black Panther film.
It’s worth mentioning that in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), several actors have taken on multiple roles. Yet, within a single franchise, no actor has played such contrasting roles, like playing a major villain in the first Black Panther and then reappearing as someone else in a direct sequel. This could seem unusual to viewers. However, if Jordan were to play a relative of Killmonger, it might make sense. Nevertheless, using this trick could be met with resistance from fans of the original character and should only be considered as a last option.
Marvel Is Reportedly Looking to Introduce a New T’Challa
There’s speculation that Marvel might consider recasting the character of T’Challa after Chadwick Boseman’s passing. This could happen following the film “Avengers: Secret Wars,” which some believe may reboot the Marvel Cinematic Universe, thereby allowing for characters to be recast without much explanation. Some fans even propose Michael B. Jordan as an ideal candidate to step into the Black Panther role.
If the Marvel Cinematic Universe hadn’t discovered Chadwick Boseman, it might have been Michael B. Jordan who could have brilliantly played Black Panther. Now, after Boseman’s passing, the character T’Challa is vacant again. Not only would Jordan make a fantastic Black Panther, but he would also be one of the few actors capable of honoring Boseman’s legacy, as they had worked together when Jordan portrayed T’Challa. Some fans might find Michael B. Jordan playing T’Challa puzzling due to his previous roles in the franchise, but they would soon embrace him as a new era of the MCU unfolds.
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2025-04-30 17:02