Actor Michaela Coel is joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Variety reports. The film is still in early production, so details are light, including the name and details of the character Coel will be playing in the film.
Coel is receiving acclaim this year thanks to HBO’s I May Destroy You. The show is nominated for eight Primetime Emmy awards, with Coel’s name on three: Outstanding writing for a limited or anthology series or movie, outstanding lead actress in a limited or anthology series or movie, and outstanding directing for a limited or anthology series or movie.
2018’s Black Panther raked in $1.3 billion at the worldwide box office, making it one of the most successful movies ever. A sequel had already been in the works when lead Chadwick Boseman passed away in August last year after a years-long battle with colon cancer.
Since then, Marvel Studios has formally announced that Boseman’s character, King T’Challa, will not be recast. Marvel head Kevin Feige stated in December that Boseman’s “portrayal of T’Challa, the Black Panther, is iconic and transcends any iteration of the character in any other medium. And it’s for that reason that we will not recast the character. However, to honor the legacy that Chad helped us build through his portrayal of the kingdom of Wakanda, we want to continue to explore the world of Wakanda and all of the rich and varied characters introduced in the first film.”
The film is currently in production in Atlanta, and is still adding new cast, including God of War and Stargate SG-1 star Christopher Judge. Marvel Studios confirmed this spring that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is still scheduled to release next summer, on July 8, 2022.