‘Black Panther 3’ Exclusive: A Return to Familiar Waters
It’s been a little over 2 weeks since Marvel Studios returned to Hall H at San Diego Comic Con to provide the audience with some updates on their upcoming releases. One of the most hyped-up presentations was the confirmation of the development of Black Panther 3. During the panel, it was confirmed that Ryan Coogler would return to the director’s chair to film the franchise’s third entry, along with the return of some familiar faces to the franchise. This includes Letitia Wright as Shuri and Winston Duke as M’Baku.
But the most surprising aspect of the panel was the confirmation that the film would feature a new Black Panther. An adult version of T’Challa II, son of T’Challa, which will be portrayed by David Jonsson.
Aside from those confirmed details, there are still plenty of questions left unanswered regarding the film’s plot and how it would take place in the MCU as one of the first films to be released post-Avengers: Secret Wars. And while we may not have those details just yet, we have received some new information that may give rise to a new wrinkle in the story as to what we could expect to see.
Exclusive: Black Panther 3 sets return to Talokan
We at The Cosmic Circus have been able to confirm from sources that a portion of this film will be set in the underwater nation of Talokan, which made its debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever back in 2022.
With the inclusion of Talokan in the upcoming installment of the Black Panther franchise, it is expected that Tenoch Huerta will return as Namor, as well as other Talokans, including Mabel Cadena as Namora and Alex Livinalli as Attuma. We have also been informed that casting processes have already begun, with Marvel and agencies looking for both Wakandan and Talokan extras for the movie.
As for the role of the underwater nation in Black Panther 3, that information is not yet known. However, given the unsteady alliance that Wakanda and Talokan have following Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and the upcoming test of their alliance in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, we can expect the next Black Panther outing to build upon those tensions.
The uneasy alliance between Wakanda and Talokan
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gave audiences our first introduction to Namor and the underwater nation of Talokan in the MCU, a nation hidden from the eyes of the world due to their unique adaptations and use of the rare element Vibranium.
On paper, they share vast similarities with the nation of Wakanda, which prompted Namor to seek an alliance with the country against the people of the surface world. Of course, as the events of the movie played out, Shuri and Namor butted heads and, in the end, promised to maintain an unsteady alliance.
This action, of course, prompted concerns from Namora, Namor’s second in command. The idea of bending the knee to someone from the surface world is a thought that doesn’t sit well with the Talokans. Nevertheless, Namor asks Namora to trust him, as he states that “Wakanda has no allies… that the surface world will come for Wakanda and then Wakanda will come to us.”
Namor’s premonition is now about to come full circle, as Shuri and M’Baku will seek Namor’s help in Avengers: Doomsday, building upon the lore of the two nations and the personal relationship/tension between Shuri and Namor.
Now, what happens in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars with Namor, Shuri, Talokan, and Wakanda is still very much up in the air. But from what sources have told us, it’s looking as though Namor may be forced to bend the knee once again, but this time towards another ruler in order to save his people. (Shuri will remember that. And so will certain Talokans.)
One more Black Panther 3 rumor for the road
While on the subject of Black Panther 3, I wanted to put out one rumor that I heard as of late from one source, which I ask that readers take with a grain of salt. That said, the rumor involves the return of a popular character from the Black Panther franchise back for the upcoming installment…
That is Queen Mother Ramonda, portrayed by Academy Award winner Angela Basset, who was nominated for the role for her portrayal in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. How exactly she would fit into this movie still is a mystery, given her death in the last film. However, with the Ancestral Plane, which we have been informed will play a more prominent role in this film (as opposed to the last two), we suppose anything is possible.
Also check out: Wakanda Forever Comics Reading Guide
