Daniel Kaluuya isn’t certain if he’ll return as W’ Kabi in Black Panther 2. The release of Black Panther in 2018 was an Enormous moment for Marvel Studios and the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The very first MCU movie with a Black lead was highly expected and entirely delivered. Led from the overdue Chadwick Boseman, Dark Panther boasted an unbelievable cast almost entirely made up of people of color. This comprised Michael B. Jordan, Danai Gurira, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Daniel Kaluuya.
Marvel Studios has spent the last few years developing Black Panther 2 with director Ryan Coogler. But the terrible news of Chadwick Boseman’s departure came in 2020 after covertly fighting colon cancer for four years. Individuals around the world continue to mourn his passing, but Marvel is beginning to move forward with plans for Black Panther 2. Details on the sequel are rare at the moment, and that includes who will and will not appear. One of the stars of the original who does not know if he will be working on the sequel is Kaluuya.
The actor is currently getting a lot of praise for his performance in Judas and the Black Messiah, along with the media tour for the movie included him speaking to Jemele Hill. The conversation included Kaluuya talking about the possibility of working on Black Panther two and playing W’Kabi again. Kaluuya admits he’s “no thought” if he is likely to look in the sequel, however, he is prepared to become part of it if that is what the story requires.
I’m that kind of person if the story and the bit is better, I am like,’ Yo, I’m gonna see this,’ since I really wanna see it. And when I’m in it and I can serve it, then I’m in it. And I only stay in that position.
W’Kabi only had a supportive character in Black Panther, but his story was not complete at that time the film finished. The character turned his back on T’Challa and flipped sides to encourage Killmonger to assume power in Wakanda. This places him in battle with his love Okoye and contributed to the both of them having a fast showdown in the finale. The second ended with W’Kabi’s surrender and being sent to prison. He could nevertheless be locked up all these years later, escaped during the chaos due to Thanos’ snap, or have been a victim of the snap himself. Any excuse could be utilized to bring W’Kabi back in Black Panther 2.
Since Kaluuya continues to prove exactly how talented of a celebrity he is, it’d surely be great to see him perform W’Kabi again in the MCU, and this time in a larger role even. Kaluuya not knowing if he’s in Dark Panther 2 by now could potentially be viewed as an indication he will not appear since filming begins this summer. Plus, it was recently reported he’ll play one of those leads in Jordan Peele’s next film. Should Kaluuya overlook on a role in Dark Panther 2, he could still return down the line in a different sequel or even the Wakanda series Coogler is growing for Disney+.