Daniel Kaluuyamade his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the 2018 filmBlack Panther. Unfortunately for fans, the actor isn’t returning anytime soon as he recently confirmed he wouldn’t be a part ofBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Kaluuya played W’Kabi in the original film, the former head of security for Wakanda’s Border Tribe and the best friend of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman). Eventually, W’Kabi lost faith in his leaders, turning to Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) for guidance. A statement from Twitter user@THATJacquelineconfirmed Kaluuya’s absence from theBlack Panthersequel.
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Kaluuya has been busy with the summer blockbusterNope,set to arrive later this month, on July 22nd. The project is helmed by Jordan Peele, a close friend and important relationship in the actor’s life. In aninterview with Empire, Peele spoke about the bond the actor/director duo share and the similarities to the Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro dynamic.
“It’s so funny, but by the point I was in the middle of [shooting] Get Out, that’s what I was telling him. ‘You’re my De Niro, man. You’re my De Niro.’ I was like, ‘I need you to be in the future ones too, man! You could just tell what we had in him as a performer, from m the very beginning.”
Kaluuya has been a part of several big films following his breakout role inGet Out,includingWidows,Queen & Slim,Judas and the Black Messiah, and of course,Black Panther. Fans of the actor will surely be disappointed to hear about conflict withWakanda Forever;however, audiences will get the chance to see him next Friday inNope.
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Who Can We Expect to See inBlack Panther 2?
With no Chadwick Boseman and no Daniel Kaluuya,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill look far different from its predecessor. However, there are still a few MCU favorites we can expect to see in the film.Letitia Wrightwill star in the film as Shuri, the lead ofWakanda Forever.Joining her areMartin Freemanas Everett Ross, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, and Winston Duke as M’Baku.
Ryan Coogleris returning from the original to direct the film, with previous work includingFruitvale StationandCreed. In addition, Coogler will writeWakanda Foreveralongside Joe Robert Cole. Keven Feige is set to produce.Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill reach theaters later this year, on November 11th.
