Even without the astounding and emotionally-packed Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer, Marvel Studios, with its announcements of Phases 4, 5 and 6 would have still easily won the hearts of fans in Hall H at San Diego Comic-Con.
But the Wakanda Forever trailer solidified the win.
Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios and chief creative officer of Marvel appeared on stage at the event which was being held live for the first time in three years. He was joined on stage by moderator Ash Crossan to deliver Marvel Studios’ long-awaited live-action panel. After a slew of announcements and the final trailer for She-Hulk: Attorney at Law, Feige didn’t disappoint the enthusiastic crowd. He delivered an emotional punch with the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever capped the Hall H presentation to thunderous roars and applause, beginning with a live performance by Baaba Maal (vocals), Massamba Diop (tama), dancers, and drummers.
Feige was joined on stage by director Ryan Coogler and cast members Mabel Cadena, Michaela Cole, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta, Florence Kasumba, Alex Livinalli, Lupita Nyong’o, Dominique Thorne, and Letitia Wright for a Q&A and first look at the film’s first trailer (above).
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Wright), M’Baku (Duke), Okoye (Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.
As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
The film introduces Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of hidden undersea nation, Talocan. Feige also announced Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will end Phase 4 and open in U.S. theaters on November 11, 2022. Grab a tissue and watch the emotional trailer below:
The studio also debuted a new poster that honors late actor Chadwick Boseman and his legacy as T’Challa.
According to Variety, the emotional teaser received 172 million views in its first 24 hours online, becoming one of the MCU’s top trailer debuts (viewership almost doubled the 88 million views the original Black Panther trailer garnered back in 2017).
Three songs from the sequel’s Prologue EP have been released, including Tems’ cover of Bob Marley and the Wailers’ No Woman No Cry from the trailer, A Body, A Coffin performed by Ghanian artist Amaarae, and Soy by Mexican rapper Santa Fe Klan.
The Geek is a working screenwriter, director and screenwriting instructor.
