Summary

• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever ends with Shuri claiming the mantle of Black Panther.
• By the end of the film, Wakanda gains a new king in M'Baku, but it also faces threats from several hostile nations.
• Wakanda Forever's ending brought closure and comfort to fans still mourning the loss of Chadwick Boseman while also setting up future storylines.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a continuation of Wakanda's story in the MCU, but it is also a touching tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. The movie itself had to be rewritten following Boseman's unexpected death, resulting in a number of changes to the plot of the movie, the most notable of which was making Shuri, King T'Challa's younger sister, the lead of the film. As the movie follows her emotional journey, it also explores how Wakanda is adapting to a world that now had a better understanding of what it is capable of.

As a result of their recent exploits, new forces rise up in opposition to the advanced African nation. Some groups fear what Wakanda is capable of, while others resent its prosperity. Though the ending of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever leaves Wakanda with a brighter future, it still faces many challenges on the horizon.

The Legacy of the Black Panther Lives On

• By the conclusion of Wakanda Forever, Shuri becomes the new Black Panther.
• Although Queen Ramonda is killed by Namor, the ending of the film also reveals that T'Challa's legacy continues through a previously unknown son.

The most important thing to note about Wakanda Forever's ending is that the Black Panther did not die with T'Challa. Though she is resistant to the idea of following in T'Challa's footsteps, Shuri's arc throughout the movie is a spiritual one that culminates in her assuming the mantle for herself, endowing her with the same powers her brother once had. Granted, she dons the Black Pather to seek vengeance against Namor, who killed Queen Ramonda earlier in the film. Still, even this was a way for Shuri to reconnect with the spirit of her deceased brother, as she finally embraced his noble perspective after putting her revenge aside for the good of her people.

Shuri's decision to put aside her need for revenge assured audiences and the world of the MCU that the new Black Panther carries many of the same traits as her predecessor. At the same time, Shuri is not a traditionalist, and she recognized that she needed to travel the world to understand her country's ever-changing role in global politics. The Black Panther may always be at Wakanda's beck and call, but she is also free to improve the world on her own terms. Interestingly, this gives Shuri one more piece of closure by introducing her to her nephew, T'Challa, who is named after his late father.

So in many ways, T'Challa — and thereby Chadwick Boseman — did survive into this new phase of the MCU. His sister carries on his heroic legacy, but the throne of Wakanda may eventually pass on to the newly revealed prince. T'Challa was always intended to have a son in the second Black Panther movie, having been born while he was gone following the Blip. Prince T'Challa might have been introduced later than expected, but his presence is a lovely way to honor what came before and assure fans that T'Challa's legacy will never be forgotten.

Other Nations Are Preparing to Fight Wakanda

• Many countries are in opposition to Wakanda's technological superiority, stoking international tensions.
• Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also sets up Valentina Allegra de Fontaine as a future antagonist to Wakanda, casting even more doubt on the nation's future.

While Wakanda's emotional narrative ends on a hopeful note, the rest of the world is not necessarily pleased with their progress. The MCU made it clear that the instant T'Challa revealed Wakanda's true nature, as well as its true power, the other countries of the world would be in uproar. This can be seen in the early parts of the movie where France attempts to forcefully take vibranium from a Wakandan outreach center, only to be repelled and captured by the Dora Milaje.

Of all of Wakanda's potential enemies, no nation seems more antagonistic toward them than the United States of America. The U.S.A.'s resentment towards Wakanda is most clearly seen in the form of the CIA's new director, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, who is covetous of the Wakandan vibranium mound and desperate for any leverage against them. While scenes featuring American interests regarding Wakanda are sparse in Wakanda Forever, it is obvious that America does not like the idea of Wakanda having a clear technological advantage over them. In the future, it is likely that de Fontaine will be trying to undermine, if not outright attack, the Wakandans in an attempt to disrupt their power base.

To make matters worse, Wakanda also has to deal with Talokanil. The underwater civilization may have been the movie's main antagonists, but their story mirrors Wakanda's in a way. Both were advanced civilizations that felt it better to hide from the surface world rather than risk their hatred and violence.

Yet, this fear of exposure ultimately pushed them to attack the Wakandans, culminating in a battle that, had Shuri not had an epiphany and taken the correct course of action, could have triggered a never-ending war between the two. Instead, they are now tentative allies; however, the Talokanil have schemes to use their alliance to one day conquer the surface world, showing that their motivations are not so altruistic after all. For now, they are in alignment, but the day may come when they are once again at war with the Wakandans.

Wakanda's Present is Brighter, But Its Future Looks Dark

• Altogether, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a beautiful tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman, and it brings closure to many of the narratives surrounding T'Challa's character.
• The film also sets up major problems for Wakanda, as they're officially a part of global affairs for the first time ever.

Overall, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever helped stabilize Wakanda's situation, restoring their spirituality by bringing back the Black Panther and hope for T'Challa's family. They even find a new king in M'Baku, who has spent the last few years earning the respect of those who once thought him nothing more than a mindless brute. Of course, it is likely that M'Baku will one day step aside should T'Challa's son, or even Shuri, desire to take up the responsibilities of ruling.

Still, in the span of a year, the Wakandans lost their king, and then their queen. They were left without their primary defender in a world that is now well aware of how powerful they are. They have gained the attention of another hidden nation that is just as powerful. Perhaps for the first time in its history, Wakanda is vulnerable. They were untouchable in the past, but the world is catching up, or revealing that there were always things that rivaled them.

The movie did a lot to soothe fans still mourning the passing of Chadwick Boseman and T'Challa, but it also had a responsibility to set up future dilemmas. In that, it succeeded, promising that Wakanda's political situation will only become more difficult as time goes on.

For the moment, there is peace, and Wakanda is recovering from its many losses. One could even go as far as to say that the country is a metaphor for how fans were reacting to the movie, finding a measure of comfort in this tribute to a great actor and the impact he left.