Black Panther 2 BTS Set Photo Seemingly Confirms Return of Wakanda Elder

A series of behind-the-scenes photos of the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, courtesy of Lupita Nyong’o, has seemingly confirmed that Danny Sapani will be reprising his role as the Border Tribe Elder in the film. The first Black Panther saw Chadwick Boseman as the titular Wakandan warrior in the character’s first solo-movie outing, after having made his initial debut in Captain America: Civil War. The critical and commercial success of Black Panther ensured that a sequel to the afrofuturist superhero film was in development by mid-2019, with many of the original cast members confirmed to be returning.

However, following the tragic passing of Boseman in August 2020, director/co-writer Ryan Coogler redrafted the script to focus more on other characters from the first film, particularly T’Challa’s technologically adept sister, Shuri (Letitia Wright). Wright will be joined by other returning cast members, including Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett. The film will also feature Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams/Ironheart and Michaela Coel in a currently undisclosed role. Kevin Feige also confirmed that the role of T’Challa would not be recast or digitally recreated for the film. Despite these reveals, Marvel Studios has otherwise remained noticeably secretive about any plot details and further casting for the upcoming film, despite widespread speculation surrounding potential Black Panther villain Namor.

Nyong’o now appears to have confirmed that Sapani is another Black Panther cast member who is returning for the sequel. Sapani originally played the elder of the Wakandan Border Tribe, accompanying W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya) at T’Challa’s coronation ceremony. Celebrating the fourth anniversary of first film’s premiere on Twitter, Nyong’o shares a couple of behind-the-scenes photos of Wakanda Forever, featuring herself, Wright, Bassett, Duke, and Sapani, accompanied by the caption “Greetings from Wakanda!” Sapani’s involvement in the film had not previously been confirmed by Marvel. Check out the post below:

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Wakanda Forever has suffered from more than its fair share of difficulties throughout its production. Along with Boseman’s death, the film was dealt another blow when Dorothy Steel, who was reprising her role as the Elder of the Merchant Tribe, also passed away in October 2021. Filming was stalled when Wright sustained injuries following a stunt and again when Nyong’o tested positive for COVID-19, along with other members of the cast and crew. But, despite this, filming has since resumed and the sequel is set to release on November 11, following Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Although fans are eager to find out as much information as they can about the upcoming MCU film, Sapani’s casting may not come as much of a surprise to many, given that Steel and Isaach de Bankolé, who also previously played Wakandan tribe elders, had already been confirmed for the sequel. However, while Sapani’s elder was not featured as a major character in the original Black Panther, his inclusion with the rest of the main cast members in these photos, as well as the sequel’s general aim to focus more on the supporting characters of the first film, may lead fans to speculate on whether his role has also been expanded for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. If so, they will not have to wait much longer to find out.

Source: Lupita Nyong’o

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