Spoilers ahead as we discuss the post credits scene from “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and what it means for the future of the MCU…
SPOILERS AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN’T SEEN BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
Now that “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has been in theaters for a few days, it’s time to breakdown that post credits scene and what it means for the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
When the film ended, Shuri (Letitia Wright) had become the new Black Panther after she was able to reconstruct the formula to make a new heart-shaped flower that would allow her to take on the powers bestowed upon the protector of Wakanda. She then led the battle against Namor and his invading forces from Talokan as they sought to conquer the world after rising up from the depths of the ocean.
In the end, Shuri was able to defeat Namor in combat but ultimately spared his life after he yielded to her while also returning his people to the ocean. Afterwards, however, Namor explained that Wakanda’s actions by allowing him to live and refusing to share Vibranium with the rest of the world would eventually make the African nation a huge target for potential enemies.
Namor is betting on the fact that Wakanda will eventually call on his support to help them defend their nation and that’s when Talokan will rise again.
As for Shuri, she’s finally able to grieve for her fallen mother as well as her brother T’Challa, who we learned died unexpectedly at the very start of the movie. Of course this was all one massive tribute to the late, great Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed King T’Challa in the first “Black Panther” movie before he tragically lost his life due to cancer.
Much like art imitating life, Shuri just couldn’t let go of her brother until the closing moments of the film when she decided to travel to Haiti where she burned her funeral dress as part of a Wakandan custom to move on from a loved one’s death.
While in Haiti, Shuri was reunited with Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), who had relocated there years earlier and even opted not to attend T’Challa’s funeral after his passing. It turns out, Nakia had a good reason not to leave Haiti behind.
In the post credit scene, Nakia introduces Letitia to a young boy named Toussaint — named after the legendary general who led the Haitian revolution — but it turns out that’s not the child’s actual name. The 5-year-old boy then tells Shuri his real name — T’Challa — just like his father.
Yes, T’Challa had traveled to Haiti to be with Nakia and together they had a son but the King of Wakanda didn’t want his child to grow up with the same pressures and expectations that he had as the son of a king over a powerful nation. So instead, Nakia stayed behind in Haiti to raise their son.
Nakia explains that even Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) had a chance to meet her grandson before she expired as well. Earlier in the movie, Queen Ramonda travels to Haiti to recruit Nakia to help her rescue Shuri and it seems that’s when she had the opportunity to meet T’Challa’s son.
So what does this mean for the future of the MCU?
Well, unlike many Marvel projects this particular scene doesn’t necessarily hint at the future as much as pay a fitting tribute to Chadwick Boseman and introduce a new T’Challa, who will almost undoubtedly go on to become a Black Panther just like his father. One thing this introduction could mean is T’Challa eventually becoming part of a growing youth movement inside the MCU as the studio continues building newer and younger characters, who could eventually become part of an Avengers team for the future.
In the comics, the Young Avengers are a popular team with many of their most famous members — including Kate Bishop, Cassie Lang and America Chavez — already existing in the MCU. It’s entirely possible T’Challa gets involved with them as well.
Then again, the final closing moments of the credits stated “Black Panther will return,” which means a third film in the franchise is almost assuredly coming one day in the future. With Namor still alive and Wakanda threatened by the outside world, it’s safe to say that those two factions are far from finished with each other and now we know another T’Challa exists as well.
The next major Marvel movie will be “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania,” which will release in theaters on February 17!
