Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Both T'Challa and Chadwick Boseman honor the death of the actor (and thus the character) in a variety of ways that leave the viewer reaching for the tissues. The movie is bookended by beautiful moments that depict the profound impact of loss, but on different sides of the spectrum. There are a number of other moments and progressions in the story that honor the fallen hero and the man who brought him back to life, and by the time the final credits roll, it's clear that the movie was the best tribute one could ask for.
King's funeral
The beginning of the movie revolves around T'Challa's departure. Without going into details, it is implied that he has contracted a deathly disease, and Shuri is doing everything she can to find a cure for it. Unfortunately, her brother dies before she can save him, and the moment is captured in a heartbreaking moment where Queen Ramonda (Academy Award winner Angela Bassett) doesn't have to say anything to communicate her crushing grief. T'Challa's funeral is shown later, captured in stunning detail. A ritual dance, a mosaic of the fallen king's face, and an emphasis on Shuri's raw mourning show the immeasurable grief felt by the fictional world, and presumably by the actors, who are grieving the loss of their friend.
This viewing experience is especially powerful for the countless fans who never had the chance to say goodbye to Boseman; Yes, the funeral is for the superhero he played, but it's easy to skip that and treat the ceremony as a final farewell to the beloved actor. Throughout his brilliant career, Boseman has captured the hearts of many viewers, and this part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Delivers a metaphorical memorial.
Related: How Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is permanently changing the MCU
Carry the mantle
One of the most important ways the movie (and the MCU by extension) honors both T'Challa and Boseman is in its handling of the Black Panther mantle. At times, some fans have rallied for Marvel to reprise the role after Boseman's death. Perhaps this choice was agonizing, as its sequel Black Panther It premiered just over two years after his death. There's no rule book regarding a proper mourning period, but simply replacing Boseman and T'Challa with someone else would have been a disservice to the man and the character. Up to this point, the world of Wakanda has been built into multiple movies with Boseman's T'Challa at the center of it. Without the ability to actively keep him on top, the next best approach was to level up the people around him, and that's what Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Do.
Shuri (Letitia Wright) and Okoye (Danai Gurira), among others, have stepped up to more prominent roles, and T'Challa's sister is finally becoming the next Black Panther. By doing so, you're honoring him and keeping his memory alive, whereas the unconnected variant wouldn't have that emotional connection. Moving forward, Shuri will continue her brother's legacy, just as Wright will be the focal point of this corner of the MCU. While they're big shoes to fill, both the character and the actress prove they're more than capable of doing so.
Carry on my prodigal son
The opening scenes are sure to leave even the most diehard of viewers at least a little queasy, but the film's ending is another tearjerker. By the time the story comes to a close, Shuri has lost almost everything. Although she eventually defeated Namor, she also lost her mother. Once the battle is over, she takes a while to grieve, and this moment is full of sadness. Then, in a bittersweet twist, Nakia introduces Shuri to her son, Toussaint. It turns out that his Wakandan name is T'Challa.
Here, the viewer learns that T'Challa's first memory will live on in the form of his heir. At this point, it doesn't matter if his son becomes a major part of the MCU. Instead, the poignant moment leaves the audience with a tearful smile, as seeing Shuri meet a new member of her family - especially after suffering a great loss - is a poignant conclusion to perhaps the most emotional movie in MCU history.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Is a fitting way to say goodbye to both Boseman and T'Challa. The MCU wouldn't be the same without them, but this version pays homage to them and honors their legacy in different ways. It also defines the future of Wakanda and the franchise itself, and in doing so, Marvel ensures that fans' memories of the duo will last for years to come.
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