Kevin Feige Discusses Wakanda’s MCU Future
The success of Black Panther has caused fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to wonder what’s next for T’Challa, Shuri, the Dora Milaje and all of Wakanda. How will they play into the MCU going forward?
Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige discussed all things MCU with Entertainment Weekly as part of its huge Infinity War issue.
He explained how they anticipated the response to Black Panther and featured it prominently in Avengers: Infinity War.
“That’s the grand Marvel Studios/MCU tradition of just being all in, right? All in on stuff we believe in, before the audience tells us what they think,” he said. “You’ve heard us talk ad nauseam about the fact that we were in production on Avengers before either Thor or Captain America was released. Same thing with the whole third act of Infinity War being in Wakanda.”
Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa, King of Wakanda and its protector Black Panther. Source: Collider
Feige said that Wakanda will be important to the franchise’s future stories.
“Anchor point is a good way of [describing] it, particularly as some of our other anchor points, Asgard for instance, are gone,” he said.
The producer was his usual vague self while discussing a possible Black Panther sequel, but he did confirm that it’s happening.
“Nothing specific to reveal, other than to say we absolutely will do that. One of the favorite pastimes at Marvel Studios is sitting around on a Part One and talking and dreaming about what we would do in a Part Two,” he said. “There have been plenty of those conversations as we were putting together the first Black Panther. We have ideas and a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one.”
Danai Gurira as Okoye, the leader of the Dora Milaje. Source: Collider
With Captain Marvel on the horizon and the record-breaking Black Panther box office, Feige is committed to getting more women and people of color in front of and behind the camera.
“I think we’re seeing it shift from a very purposeful initiative to just a fact of life, to just a way of doing business. Then there are people we hired that we’re not ready to announce in all different capacities, particularly behind the camera,” he said. “As Panther has so loudly declared, [representation] can only help you tell unique stories, can only help you do things in a new, and unique, and fresh, and exciting way. If you do that, audiences will notice it, and appreciate it, and support it.”
The excitement around Black Panther has extended to all the supporting characters in its world. Fans want to see stories focused on Shuri and the Dora Milaje, and Feige is open to the idea.
“I think there’s lots of potential. It’s a balance between leaving people wanting more and then giving them too much, but I would watch a movie about any of those characters,” he said. “I think Shuri’s astounding, and you’ll see much more of her in our universe.”
“Okoye, I think I’d watch three action films just Okoye. I’m not saying we’re doing that, but I’m saying that we’re intrigued by them,” Feige continued. “Frankly, as I’ve said before, finishing these first 22 movies is really all we’re thinking about at this point.”
Black Panther is currently playing in theaters and Avengers: Infinity War hits the big screen April 27.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
