During an interview with Variety, British actor Damson Idris responded to the rumors of him portraying King T’Challa in Black Panther 3.
Chadwick Boseman played that role in Black Panther 1, but the character was not recast after his death. Letitia Wright, who played Shuri and T’Challa’s sister in Black Panther 1, assumed that role in the sequel.
“I am thankful to the fans,” Idris, 34, said about the rumors, per Complex. “Of course it’s rumor, but I love that movie. I love the world. I’m glad that everyone seeing the future of that too. It’s moving in a brilliant direction, and I’m excited for the third one.”
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Boseman died on August 28, 2020, at the age of 43 after battling colon cancer. Prior to his death, his medical condition was not publicly known.
Following Boseman’s death, Marvel announced that they were not going to recast Boseman’s character. But in a 2021 interview with TMZ, Boseman’s older brother, Derrick Boseman, said that the deceased actor would totally be in support of another actor taking up the superhero role he made famous.
READ ALSO: ‘I wish I had more time with him’ – Michael B. Jordan on Chadwick Boseman’s Death
Despite Marvel’s decision, Derrick said that Boseman would have approved a King T’Challa recast, as his late brother felt the character was much bigger than just him.
Derrick said Chadwick was well aware of the overwhelmingly positive influence and power the character yielded, so Marvel killing that role in the wake of his brother’s death would seemingly strip Black children of a role model.
Derrick also told TMZ that with Black children not being exposed to many positive influences, Marvel has the opportunity to play its part in filling that void by recasting King T’Challa – a character he sees as a “symbol of Black people’s potential.”
And though Derrick clarified that Chadwick never stated he wanted the character he once played recast, he said he was sure that his late brother would approve bringing King T’Challa back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
READ ALSO: Damson Idris, mistaken for Idris Elba’s brother, tipped for James Bond role
