Black Panther 2: Every Possible Villain For The Sequel (& Who’s Best)

Which Marvel Comics characters could serve as the villain of Black Panther 2, and who would be the best choice? A particular villain hasn’t been confirmed for the highly anticipated Marvel sequel, but there are numerous theories circulating about who will face the King of Wakanda next in the MCU.

Originally introduced in Captain America: Civil War, T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returned home to Wakanda in Black Panther and took on two of his biggest enemies from the comics, Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) and Klaw (Andy Serkis), who first appeared in the MCU in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Both villains didn’t make it out of the franchise’s first film alive, so Black Panther 2 will have to mine the comics for new antagonists.

Perhaps the strongest candidates for the sequel’s main villain are actually more strongly associated with other Marvel heroes than they are with T’Challa. In any case, Marvel still has a few compelling options who would make for interesting opponents. Here’s every possible villain for Black Panther 2 and which character would best fill the role.

M’Baku

In Marvel Comics, Man-Ape a.k.a. M’Baku is one of Black Panther’s earliest and greatest adversaries. The infamous leader of the Jabari Tribe wears the pelt of the white gorilla and possesses superhuman strength. The character has clashed with both Black Panther and the Avengers in his lifelong quest to take the throne of Wakanda, as he feels that he’ll be a stronger and more competent leader than T’Challa. Physically speaking, he’s always posed a great challenge for T’Challa, as his strength and brutality make him a difficult foe to take down. The MCU’s M’Baku (Winston Duke) has previously faced T’Challa and lost. Since then, M’Baku has developed a certain level of respect for him and was even seen fighting on his side in Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Though M’Baku has evolved into an ally of sorts, the relationship between his tribe and Wakanda may not stay the same. There’s been talk about the possibility of M’Baku being Black Panther 2‘s villain, with Winston Duke expressing support for the idea. Just because M’Baku lost his challenge for Wakanda’s throne in the first film doesn’t mean he’s given up his quest.

Namor the Sub-Mariner

Perhaps the most popular choice for the villain is Namor the Sub-Mariner, one of Marvel’s two oldest superheroes and the king of Atlantis. Namor’s MCU debut was teased in Avengers: Endgame during a scene with Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), but there’s no solid confirmation that he’ll be making his grand entrance in Black Panther 2. Namor, who is arguably the most important character who hasn’t been in a live-action Marvel movie, may finally be utilized in the MCU as the primary antagonist of Black Panther 2.

In the comics, T’Challa and Namor have a violent history that goes all the way back to the pages of The Defenders in the 1970s, when a war between Atlantis and Wakanda was almost triggered by a mistake made by the Wakandan military. In later years, the feud between the two has escalated into a full-blown war. Due to the poor relations between their respective kingdoms, Namor and T’Challa have a deep-seated hatred for each other. It’s possible that the animosity shared by the two characters will be adapted to the big screen in Black Panther 2, with Namor leading his Atlantean forces in a full-scale assault on Wakanda.

Doctor Doom

Atlantis isn’t the only Marvel Comics nation Wakanda could come into conflict with in Black Panther 2. There’s also Latveria, which is ruled by Doctor Doom, one of the most notorious characters in the entire Marvel Universe. While audiences would normally expect him to be saved for Marvel’s Fantastic Four movie, the MCU could use him sooner, and for a different purpose. In the comics, Doctor Doom has gone up against multiple Marvel heroes, including Black Panther. Doom is a scientist, and getting his hands on Wakanda’s Vibranium and all their resources could be his top priority.

Kraven the Hunter

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler almost included Kraven the Hunter in the first movie, but rights to the character rest with Sony. If Marvel doesn’t intend to use Kraven in its third Spider-Man movie, as a highly skilled and capable hunter, Kraven would fit perfectly into the world of Black Panther and would match up well with T’Challa. Also, a fight between Kraven and T’Challa isn’t without comic book precedent. Kraven, who loves a good hunt, has a reputation for setting his sights on powerful, animal-themed heroes. A character like T’Challa could become Kraven’s prey in Black Panther 2.

Namor Is The Best Choice For Black Panther 2

Of all the available choices, Namor is the best fit for the role of the movie’s main villain. Kraven would be a fun, secondary antagonist, but it’s hard to imagine a scenario where Kraven alone can challenge Black Panther in the same way that Namor or Doctor Doom could; he’d be a better fit for a Spider-Man film. As for M’Baku, this is a character that Marvel has already evolved into an ally. Like Loki (Tom Hiddleston), he could switch sides, but making him an enemy again could feel like a step backwards. But if Marvel does want to make M’Baku a villain again, he still shouldn’t take the spotlight. After all, audiences already know from Black Panther that T’Challa can defeat him.

Namor would be the most interesting and unique choice for Marvel because he would introduce a whole new corner of the Marvel Universe. Getting a proper, in-depth look at the intricate and beautiful world of Wakanda was part of the appeal of Black Panther, and bringing in Atlantis would add a great deal of interest to Black Panther 2 and give the MCU a chance to play with a new set of characters and concepts.

Namor is a complicated and tragic character in Marvel Comics, and there’s so much depth to his character that can be worked into the film. His personal tragedies, hatred of humankind, and desire to be a good ruler of Atlantis can all factor into his Black Panther 2 story. Furthermore, Namor is one of Marvel’s strongest characters, making him someone whom Black Panther is ill-suited to fight. As someone who can go toe-to-toe with the Hulk, Namor would have every advantage over Black Panther, so beating the Avenging Son may truly be the greatest challenge the MCU could throw at T’Challa in Black Panther 2.

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