‘Black Panther’ Will Introduce the X-Men to the MCU in a Way That Only The Biggest Marvel Fans Will See Coming
Black Panther 3 will reportedly introduce the X-Men in a big way. The sequel to 2018’s Black Panther is scheduled to open in theaters in May of 2022, yet sources say Marvel has the third installment already mapped out. How will the studio bring together Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa and the newly acquired X-Men?
What’s ahead for ‘Black Panther’?
Outside of The Avengers franchise, Black Panther is the most successful stand-alone film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date, earning $1.3 billion at the box office. Despite this success, many fans felt like the character was pushed to the background in Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame.
Although Wakanda played an important role in Infinity War, T’Challa was not on screen very long. He was seen even less in Endgame after falling victim to Thano’s snap in the first part of the Infinity War Saga.
Black Panther 2 is not premiering until Phase 5 of the MCU, which means fans will have to wait a few more years before they see T’Challa back in action.
While Marvel is currently developing the storyline for the sequel, an inside source claims that the studio already has plans for the third movie in the franchise.
The third installment will introduce the X-Men
Fans have been excited about new characters joining the MCU ever since Disney bought out Fox last year. Marvel has already confirmed that Deadpool 3 is in the works, and there have been plenty of rumors surrounding X-Men and Fantastic Four.
The studio has not confirmed anything about X-Men, but a source told We Got This Covered, that Marvel plans to introduce several mutants in Black Panther 3.
The insider says that Storm will be one of the first X-Men to join the MCU. The character will eventually develop feelings for T’Challa and the two will tie the knot in Black Panther 3.
This follows a story in the comics from 2006. After exchanging vows with Storm, T’Challa hands his mantle to Shuri, who becomes the new Black Panther.
What fans want to see in ‘Black Panther 2’
Speaking of Shuri becoming the new Black Panther, many Marvel fans are hoping that development will go down in the sequel. Although Black Panther was all about T’Challa’s rise to the throne, his younger sister nearly stole the show.
She reprised the role a second time in Infinity War, further cementing her as a fan favorite in the MCU. Marvel has not said anything about Shuri taking on her brother’s title, but it is a storyline that the comics have explored.
Apart from Shuri, fans are also eager to see Michael B. Jordan reprise his role as Erik Killmonger in the sequel. Only this time fans expect to see the character in the ancestral plane, where he would have the freedom to interact with T’Challa.
We do not know if Marvel plans on bringing Jordan back in the sequel, but the move would definitely get a lot of support from fans.
What villain will take on Chadwick Boseman in the sequel?
When it comes to villains, rumor has it that T’Challa will be defending Wakanda against Namor the Submariner in the upcoming film. Marvel has not confirmed the reports, but there is some evidence in a previous movie to back it up.
In Endgame, General Okoye (Danai Gurira) mentions something about earthquakes along the coast of Africa. The film does not explain the comment any further, but fans suspect that it may have been a reference to Namor’s home of Atlantis.
In the comics, Namor is not a typical villain. He goes against the Avengers because he wants to save his home. But he has also fought alongside them and the X-Men on occasion.
Marvel could easily explore this storyline in Black Panther 2, which is expected to start filming next year.
Black Panther 2 is due out in theaters on May 6, 2022.
