Daniel Kaluuya Won't Be Back For 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever'

Another day, another news round-up for the MCU. And the big news on the Marvel front today is that Daniel Kaluuya won’t be back for Ryan Coogler‘s upcoming “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” Variety reports that Kaluuya won’t return due to scheduling conflicts that the actor had with Jordan Peele‘s “NOPE,” out in theaters later this month. It’s big news, but perhaps not a surprise as, unlike other actors from “Black Panther,” Kaluuya’s status in the second film in the series was unclear until now. Kaluuya played W’Kabi, the best friend and confidant of Chadwick Boseman‘s T’Challa, in the 2018 film.

READ MORE: ‘Black Panther 2’: Winston Duke’s Breakout Character M’Baku Reportedly Has “Expanded Role”

So, what should Marvel fans expect from “Wakanda Forever” now that they know Kaluuya isn’t part of it? Well, for one, many of the stars of the first “Black Panther” film return for the sequel.  Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett are all back for “Wakanda Forever.” And they’ll have significant parts, too, as, following Boseman’s death in November 2020, Marvel and Coogler stated the sequel would focus on other characters in the series instead of recasting another actor as T’Challa.  

Dominique Thorne, Florence Kasumba, Isaach de Bankolé, Dorothy Steel, and Danny Sapani also reprise their roles from the first film. As for new additions, Tenoch Huerta plays the film’s villain, and Michaela Coel is also on board in an undisclosed role. “Black Panther” composer Ludwig Göransson also returns for the sequel.

“Wakanda Forever” wrapped shooting in March, but there’s been little news about the film outside of brief clips in a sizzle reel at this year’s ComicCon. Marvel releases the movie in theaters on November 11 as the 30th installment in the MCU.  

While it’s disappointing that Kaluuya won’t be in “Wakanda Forever,” his reunion with Jordan Peele in “NOPE” is a major cause for excitement. In that film, Kaluuya plays the brother of a pair of siblings who attempt to capture video evidence of UFOs on their ranch property. “NOPE” hits theaters on July 22.