Black Panther 2 Overview and Release Information
Black Panther 2, officially titled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is a 2022 American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Black Panther. It is the sequel to Black Panther (2018) and the 30th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). The film was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. It premiered in Hollywood on October 26, 2022, and was released in the United States on November 11, 2022, in IMAX, 3D, Dolby Cinema, and 4DX formats. The film was directed by Ryan Coogler, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Joe Robert Cole, and produced by Kevin Feige alongside Louis D'Esposito and Victoria Alonso.
The film serves as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T'Challa / Black Panther and died of colon cancer in August 2020. Marvel Studios decided not to recast the role, and the story addresses T'Challa's absence and legacy. The narrative follows Shuri and the people of Wakanda as they confront new global threats while mourning their king. The film was shot at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, and in various locations in South Korea, including Seoul. Principal photography began on June 29, 2021, and wrapped on October 24, 2021. The runtime is 161 minutes. The film received positive reviews for its performances, visual effects, and emotional depth, and it became a major box office success worldwide.
Cast, Characters, and Principal Performers
Letitia James stars as Shuri / Black Panther, taking over the lead role from Chadwick Boseman. The cast includes Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Angela Bassett as Queen Ramonda, Winston Duke as M'Baku, and Tenoch Huerta as Namor, the leader of the underwater kingdom of Talokan. The film also features Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, Michaela Coel as Ayo, Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. Supporting roles include Mabel Cadena as Namora, Lake Bell as Dr. Graham, and Tony Cervone as the voice of a Talokan warrior. The cast represents a broad range of actors from the United States, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, reflecting the global scope of the MCU.
Namor, created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Syd Shores, first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1966. In the film, Namor is depicted as the ruler of Talokan, an ancient underwater civilization of Mesoamerican origin. The character is portrayed as a complex antagonist with a deep connection to his people and a willingness to protect Talokan at any cost. The film explores themes of colonialism, environmentalism, and the responsibilities of leadership. The cast underwent extensive training in martial arts, weapons handling, and underwater filming techniques. The film's visual effects were supervised by Geoffrey Baumann, and the score was composed by Ludwig Göransson, who returned from the first film.
Box Office Performance and Financial Results
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever grossed approximately $859 million worldwide, making it one of the highest-grossing films of 2022. The film earned $453.8 million in the United States and Canada and $405.2 million in international markets, according to box office tracking data. It opened at number one at the global box office, with a worldwide opening weekend of approximately $181.3 million. In the domestic market, the film had a strong opening weekend of $181.3 million, which included $33.