The petition was created by some clearly passionate Marvel fans who disagree with Marvel’s decision to continue without T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In the creator’s opinion, T’Challa is too important to not recast, particularly due to what he represents for Black history.
Boseman portrayed King T’Challa / Black Panther, the leader of Wakanda. However, as stated, the actor suddenly and shockingly passed away last year, devastating the Marvel fandom.
Credit: Marvel Studios
Here’s what the petition description says:
‘#RecastTChalla is not a call to replace Chadwick Boseman. (No one could ever do that.) It is not asking for an immediate replacement either. Nor is this calling for the prevention of other characters to take up the mantle of Black Panther like Shuri or anyone else. This petition is merely asking to continue the portrayal of T’Challa in the MCU. #RecastTChalla is a call to fulfill the role that Chadwick Boseman worked so hard for the world to see.
As the first Black superhero in mainstream comics and the MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe), T’Challa is literally Black history. He was created in 1966, during the Civil Rights era, to be the embodiment of positive Black representation. His character was also instrumental in uplifting Black female characters such as Storm, the Dora Milaje, and his own sister Shuri. There is no more positive form of representation in Black culture than strong Black men and women supporting one another. T’Challa’s character was only scratching the surface with his story in the MCU, and there is so much more left to tell’.
You can read the full synopsis and sign the petition right here. Alternatively, you can check out this YouTube video explaining the reason behind this fan-made petition:
We’ve previously reported that Marvel has no intention to recast the Black Panther character. Director Ryan Coogler even recently commented that Black Panther II will go ahead without “the glue that held it together”, referring to Boseman, not the character himself — thought the statement could be taken to mean both Boseman and T’Challa.
Furthermore, we also reported that Marvel and Disney confirmed at the 2020 Disney Investor Day event that the character will not be recast:
Black Panther II, opening July 8, 2022, is being written & directed by Ryan Coogler. Honoring Chadwick Boseman’s legacy & portrayal of T’Challa, @MarvelStudios will not recast the character, but will explore the world of Wakanda & the rich characters introduced in the first film.
Credit: Marvel
It seems that Marvel President Kevin Feige and other studio executives have made up their minds about recasting Black Panther. Given the nature of this petition, though, the fans behind the movement could still get their wish, in a way — there is certainly a chance that Boseman’s character will live on in the MCU via dialogue and even flashback sequences featuring archive footage.
However, it seems most likely that the mantle of Black Panther will, at some point, be taken up by Shuri (Letitia Wright), or perhaps even Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan). We’ll have to wait and see when we next return to Wakanda!
You can stream Black Panther on Disney+. The film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Letitia Wright, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, and Andy Serkis and is directed by Ryan Coogler.
The death of the 43 year old Boseman was a tough pill to swallow for Marvel fans. Boseman’s legacy as the first leading Black superhero was a major step forward for many young fans. As the petition states, he was a role model to many and paved the way for future Black leading heroes like The Falcon / the first Black Captain America (Anthony Mackie).
It’s definitely right that Marvel has confirmed that the Black Panther sequel will not use a CG Chadwick to portray T’Challa, as we’ve seen with Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars series. However, the issue of whether to recast the character is less obvious. Boseman’s role seems irreplaceable, but at the same time, T’Challa is a huge part of the Wakandan side of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, not to mention the Avengers.
The late actor truly seems irreplaceable, so it feels like Marvel is stuck between a rock and a hard place. Boseman’s death shook the fandom, but people still want a sequel and a new Black Panther. Regardless of what happens, Boseman showed that people of all colours can be superheroes, and for that, he’ll never be forgotten.
The sequel to Black Panther, Black Panther II will release on July 8 2022.
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Credit: Marvel Studios
