Will Daniel Kaluuya Return to 'Black Panther 2'?
Daniel Kaluuya's future in the "Black Panther" franchise has been determined ahead of the "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever" release.
Marvel Cinematic Universe's fans, especially the viewers of "Black Panther," will no longer see Kaluuya in the upcoming release of the franchise.
Variety confirmed that the actor would not reprise his role, W'Kabi, in the new movie. Kaluuya famously starred as the best friend and confidant to Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa. The character is also famously known as the head of security for the Border Tribe.
According to the news outlet's sources, said that the creators asked him to return. Unfortunately, he already committed himself to Jordan Peele's horror film, "Nope."
The development was confirmed by Rotten Tomatoes' Jacqueline Coley, writing on Twitter: "BREAKING NEWS: Fresh from my NOPE interview with Daniel Kaluuya, he did not reprise his role in #BlackPanther2 due to his schedule conflicts w/ #NOPE! It's official he's not in #BlackPantherWakandaForever."
"Nope" will be released on June 22. The sci-fi horror film also stars Steven Yeun and Keke Palmer.
Daniel Kaluuya Wanted To Be Part of "Black Panther 2"
Previously, the actor already expressed his desire to become part of the sequel "if that is what the story needed."
He told Jemele Hill (via Comicbook) that he had already talked to "Black Panther" director Ryan Coogler and that he would not leave the franchise.
"I have no idea. I speak to Ryan, I'm not gonna go, 'Yo, [put me in the movie].' He's living his life and working hard. Whatever the story needs, you know? That [first movie] was a moment for us, and I don't want to go like, 'I'm trying to be in it just because I want it.' It's for us, I'm a fan," he said.
Kaluuya added that he is the type of person who stays if the story needs him and leaves if the story is better without him.
His absence from the film became a new problem to fans, as there have been issues about whether or not Marvel should recast T'Challa after Boseman's sudden death in 2020.
But during Disney's Investor Day presentation, Kevin Feige formally announced that they would continue MCU Phase 4 without Boseman's character. This resonated with what Marvel Studios executive vice president Victoria Alonso told Argentinian newspaper Clarin before.
At that time, she debunked the rumors that Marvel Studios was considering using a CGI double. Alonso said that the idea would never be an option, as there is only one Boseman in the MCU.
