While Marvel Studios doesn't intend to recast T'Challa/Black Panther following the passing of Chadwick Boseman, Derrick Boseman says his brother would want a new actor to play the character.

Talking to TMZ, Derrick Boseman said T'Challa needs to be a part of the Black Panther franchise, saying his brother thought the character was "bigger than just himself as one guy." Derrick Boseman went on to say that T'Challa is an important character for young Black kids to see on the big-screen. However, Derrick Boseman did note that his brother never specifically stated what he would have wanted to happen with the character following his passing.

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Derrick Boseman's statement comes amid outcry about how Marvel Studios should proceed with Black Panther. In November, Marvel Studios VP of Production and Development and Black Panther producer Nate Moore said the company has at no point considered recasting T'Challa. "You will not see T'Challa in the MCU 616 [main] universe," Moore said. "We couldn't do it."

In April, movie reviewer Emmanuel "E-Man" Noisette launched a Change.org petition asking Marvel Studios to recast T'Challa, believing the choice would be the best way to honor the character. As of writing, the petition has earned more than 43,000 signatures.

Based on the character of the same name created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Black Panther released in 2018. The movie proved a massive success, earning more than $1.34 billion at the worldwide box office and against a budget of $200 million. Black Panther broke numerous records upon release and received seven Academy Award nominations. As of writing, Black Panther holds a 96 percent among critics on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-reviewed Marvel Cinematic Universe project.

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Officially confirmed in 2019, production on a sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was greatly affected by Chadwick Boseman's death from colon cancer in 2020. While plot details are unknown at this time, the movie will feature the returns of several characters from the original film, including Shuri (Letitia Wright, Okoye (Danai Gurira) and Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o). Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will also feature Riri Williams/Ironheart (Dominique Thorne). There are currently rumors Okoye will get a Black Panther suit of her own, though those are unconfirmed at this time.

Directed and co-written by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is slated to release on Nov. 11, 2022.

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Source: TMZ