10 Black Panther 3 Theories We Already Hope Come True

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Summary

Black Panther 3 could take a cue from Avengers: Endgame and jump forward in time, allowing for new characters to have larger roles and Shuri to pass on the Black Panther mantle.
M'Baku, who has built a strong relationship with T'Challa and Shuri, is a likely candidate to become the King of Wakanda in Black Panther 3.
Okoye, who became a Midnight Angel in Wakanda Forever, could potentially become the new Queen of Wakanda in Black Panther 3, showcasing her evolution as a character.

Even though Marvel Studios hasn't yet confirmed the development of Black Panther 3, many theories have emerged suggesting potential storylines for the much-anticipated future MCU sequel. Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther, debuted during 2016's Captain America: Civil War, and led his first solo project two-years-later with the highly-acclaimed Black Panther. Although Boseman tragically passed away in 2020, 2022's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever saw Letitia Wright's Shuri - his on-screen sister - take up the Black Panther mantle. Both Black Panther and its sequel were hugely successful, making the development of Black Panther 3 in the MCU's future seem practically inevitable, though information on the project has been scarce.
Despite there being no official confirmation, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's cast and crew have alluded to the idea of a third project in the franchise, though it's unclear exactly when Black Panther 3 might release. Wakanda Forever set up several potential storylines for a sequel, and introduced vibrant new characters who can carry MCU narratives for years to come. This has led to the emergence of many theories concerning what stories and characters could be involved in Black Panther 3. Until official confirmation comes from Marvel Studios, Wakanda Forever's story is set to continue in Ironheart and a dedicated Wakanda series, but many are still hoping for Black Panther 3.
Your browser does not support the video tag. 10 Black Panther 3 Will Jump Forward In Time Close The fact that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler is developing a Wakanda-set series for Disney+ suggests that Black Panther 3 likely won't continue the franchise's present-day storyline, as much of this can happen on Disney+. Instead, Black Panther 3 could steal a trick from Avengers: Endgame and jump forward in time, perhaps by several years. A time-jump in Black Panther 3 would allow new characters, such as Divine Love Konadu-Sun's Toussaint, to age up, giving him the chance to have a larger role. This could also mean Shuri will have been Black Panther for a long period and perhaps wants someone else to succeed her in the role.
9 M'Baku Will Become King Of Wakanda Close The ending of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever saw Shuri forego her position as Queen of Wakanda, instead focusing on grieving her brother and being the Black Panther. Instead, Winston Duke's M'Baku appeared at the crowning ceremony, teasing his future as the Wakandan King. M'Baku and his Jabbari tribe were initially alienated from Wakanda but built a strong relationship with T'Challa and Shuri in Avengers: Infinity War and Wakanda Forever, so the next logical step would be for M'Baku to become King. M'Baku, as a villain, attempted to usurp Wakanda's throne in Marvel Comics, so this could be an interesting storyline to follow in Black Panther 3.
8 Okoye Will Become Queen Of Wakanda

Although it wasn't included in the theatrical cut of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, a deleted scene from the 2022 film saw Okoye in conversation with the Elder of Wakanda's Border Tribe, who tries to convince her to challenge for the throne. This scene would have teased Okoye as Wakanda's new Queen, which could be a natural evolution for her dedicated character in Black Panther 3. After being stripped of her position in the Dora Milaje, Danai Gurira's Okoye became a Midnight Angel in Wakanda Forever, continuing her staunch protection of Wakanda, so seeing her become Queen in Black Panther 3 could tease a huge future for her in the MCU.
7 Prince T'Challa Will Become The Black Panther

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's post-credits scene revealed that, prior to Avengers: Infinity War, T'Challa and Lupita N'yongo's Nakia had a son, who the latter had been raising in Haiti following his father's death. Hidden from the pressures of the Wakandan throne, Toussaint, a.k.a. Prince T'Challa, will surely be a pivotal character in Black Panther 3, particularly if the film jumps forward in time and ages him up. This would gift Toussaint the opportunity to challenge for the Wakandan throne or even follow in his father's and aunt's footsteps and become the new Black Panther. This would be a great way for Marvel Studios to continue T'Challa's story without recasting Boseman.
6 Namor Will Attack The Surface World In Black Panther 3 Close Black Panther: Wakanda Forever featured Tenoch Huerta's debut as Namor, the ruler of the underwater, vibranium-powered Talokan. Namor's introduction in Wakanda Forever was exciting, as he was one of Marvel Comics' original superheroes back in 1939, so he is bound to have a bright future in the MCU. However, he was depicted as a villain, harboring an intense hatred for the surface world, so despite striking up a tenuous alliance with Shuri and Wakanda, Namor could lead his forces to attack the surface world in Black Panther 3. This could create the opportunity to introduce him to a wider range of MCU characters ahead of Phase 6's Avengers films.
5 Thunderbolts Will Attack Wakanda For Vibranium Close After briefly appearing in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Black Widow, Julia Louis-Dreyfus appeared once again as Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her role as the benefactor of the MCU's upcoming Thunderbolts team is already known, yet Wakanda Forever revealed that she is also the Director of the CIA, suggesting the antihero team will be formed by the United States government. Valentina also displayed an apathy towards Wakanda and a desire to acquire vibranium, which led to theories that the Thunderbolts would attack Wakanda in Black Panther 3, though some members of the team would surely fight against this mission.
4 Wakanda & Talokan Will Be Destroyed

Considering Namor's hatred for the surface world, news that Tenoch Huerta will appear in 2026's Avengers: The Kang Dynasty hinted at something catastrophic happening to Talokan, as there'd be no other reason to fight alongside Earth's Mightiest Heroes. Should Black Panther 3 release prior to The Kang Dynasty in Phase 6, it's possible that both Wakanda and Talokan could be destroyed - potentially by Kang the Conqueror - which would convince Namor and Shuri to get involved with the greater MCU battle. The destruction of these two powerful nations would significantly change the landscape of the MCU, but this would be a great way for Kang to prove his strength.
3 The Midnight Angels Will Fight Doctor Doom In Black Panther 3

Okoye and Michaela Coel's Aneka became Midnight Angels in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, elite Wakandan warriors who sport blue armor and have capabilities the Dora Milaje could only dream of. Their debut in Wakanda Forever, however, teased the introduction of Doctor Doom. Doctor Doom is the Midnight Angels' primary foe in Marvel Comics, and the elite force even joins forces with the mutant Deadpool to bring him down. There was speculation that Doctor Doom was to debut in Wakanda Forever, but this didn't come to fruition, so aside from Marvel Studios' Fantastic Four reboot, Black Panther 3 might be the perfect place to bring the villain into the MCU.
2 Kang The Conqueror Is A Descendant Of T'Challa

One of the most interesting theories to arise following Black Panther: Wakanda Forever concerns the lineage of the Multiverse Saga's overarching villain, Kang the Conqueror. In Marvel Comics, Kang is a descendant of Nathaniel Richards, Mister Fantastic's father, but one theory suggests that the MCU's Kang the Conqueror could be descended from T'Challa. Linking Kang to a pre-established character such as T'Challa perhaps works better for MCU audiences, and the appearance of Toussaint in Wakanda Forever suggests T'Challa could have a long bloodline. This connection could be confirmed in Black Panther 3, providing Shuri with a solid reason to get involved in the battle against Kang.
1 Storm Will Be Introduced In Black Panther 3

In Marvel Comics, Ororo Munroe, a.k.a. Storm, was the childhood sweetheart and eventual wife of T'Challa, and though Nakia was featured as T'Challa's love interest in the Black Panther franchise, it's possible that Storm could be introduced alongside Toussaint in Black Panther 3. This could work if Black Panther 3 uses a time-jump, perhaps seeing Toussaint and Storm as teenagers in Wakanda before the latter is recruited for the X-Men. Mutants have been slowly coming to the MCU, and 2024's Deadpool 3 is expected to take huge strides in introducing the MCU's official X-Men team, so Storm's debut in Black Panther 3 could move this forward even further.
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