Black Pantherstar Daniel Kaluuya has recently taken the time to reflect on his experience making the hit Marvel Cinematic movie with his late friend, Chadwick Boseman. In the first film, Kaluuya portrayed the character of W’Kabi, who also happened to be a close companion to Boseman’s iconic hero.
He also acted as the husband to Danai Gurira’s Okoye. W’Kabi serves as the head of security for the Border Tribe of Wakanda when he suddenly finds himself at odds with T’Challa after discovering he failed to capture the violent Ulysses Klaue. W’Kabi’s parents were murdered by Klaue, making him an orphan for life, and he ends up assisting Killmonger in his steady rise to power and control when Killmonger delivers Klaue’s dead body. Yet, he decides to surrender after being challenged by Okoye in the film’s final showdown. FollowingBlack Panther’s massive success, the sequel filmBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwas announced and is officially in development. Initially, news was circulating that Kaluuya would be reprising his role as W’Kabi for the second film, yet that was quickly shut down. Those who are expected to return for the highly anticipated sequel include Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Gurira as Okoye, Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross,Letitia Wright as Shuri, Winston Duke as M’Baku, and Angela Bassett as Ramonda.
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Unfortunately, since then, production for the film has had to face numerous obstacles in its course, most notably the tragic, late death of star Boseman from colon cancer as director Ryan Coolger was working on the script. The upcoming film also had to deal with many setbacks and delays from the COVID-19 pandemic. Actress Wright, who stars as Shuri, also suffered from on-set related injuries during shooting. Although it seemed as thoughBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwould never make itto the finish line, the film officially wrapped this past March. Now, Kaluuya has spoken to The Hollywood Reporter about the sequel and the loss of Boseman.
Kaluuya and Boseman are two beloved stars from the first film whose glaring absences will be deeply missed. Now, Kaluuya is taking the chance to speak his peace and immerse himself in nostalgia to reminisce on the precious time he spent with the late Boseman. Before confirming he wasnot returning inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever,Kaluuya had told THR, “If I said anything, people would be really disappointed, that’s how I feel about it. I think people will be disappointed. They don’t want to be spoiled, they’re surprised at whatever will happen. That’s what was amazing about the first one"
Kaluuya also said it’sdifficult to discussBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwithout acknowledging the heaviness of losing Boseman. “What can you say? Legit, and I mean that in a real sense, what can you say?” Kaluuya said of his time working with Boseman. “Watching him do the first one, knowing what I know, knowing what everyone [now knows], you just look at him in a different stratosphere - as a character, as a human being.”
Kaluuya is clearly tongue-tied, star-struck, and at a loss for words as to how to even sum up an extraordinary human being and talent such as Boseman. Although he seems to be echoing what many co-stars and loved ones have had to say about Boseman’s character, it just goes to show how much he has genuinely positively impacted and inspired so many throughout his short time on Earth.
Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris scheduled to release in theaters on June 14, 2025.
