Wakanda Forever: Okoye should be the next Black Panther

If there’s going to be a Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, then Danai’s Gurira Okoye is the most qualified for the position. 

As the writer is putting this article together, the trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has over 30 million views. A count that will likely double after the next month. People will continue to break down the Marvel Cinematic Universe trailer in hopes of catching something that no one else will. Especially in regards to who’s the Black Panther at the end of the trailer.

The image of the person in the costume at the end remains a mystery. This writer believes it’s T’Challa. This was his final fight before his untimely death. However, that idea doesn’t make sense. There are other reasons this would work besides it may come off distasteful. First, the body in the suit seems sleeker than T’Challa. Plus, it isn’t the costume he wore in the previous movies. This implies that the user is someone different.

The question everyone has is who’s in the Black Panther armor? More than likely, the answer is Shuri. She was Black Panther in the comics after T’Challa was injured in a fight with Doctor Doom. Shuri was a good one too. She did things differently than people before her, but the results were the same. She protected Wakanda just like her ancestors before her. That being said, this writer doesn’t think it should be her. The honor should go to Okoye.

Okoye for Black Panther

The right to be the Black Panther is usually passed down from family members. However, in the Black Panther comic book by Reginald Hudlin and in the MCU movie, a person can challenge for the right. Since the void needs to be filled, another trial of combat will have to take place. Okoye should be the one to challenge for multiple reasons.

First, she may be the best fighter in Wakanda. Even T’Challa must have learned a thing or two from her. We’ve seen what she can do without armor protecting her entire body. With it, she’d be even deadlier. Adding on to that, she would have the backing of the entire Dora Milaje and definitely T’Challa’s mother Ramonda.

Speaking of Dora Milaje, this is a great example of Okoye’s leadership skills. Okoye trained some of the greatest warriors in the galaxy. This isn’t an exaggeration. This was proven during the final battle in Avengers: Endgame. Being able to lead and have the trust of these warriors must continuously be earned. Especially when you can’t have people questioning you in the battle. Okoye gets that faith and respect from her warriors because she earns it every day.

With the title of Black Panther comes another responsibility. They have to put the affairs of Wakanda before themselves. That includes their personal feelings and lives. Okoye has already shown that she’s more than willing to do that. When Killmonger beat T’Challa in Black Panther, she begrudgingly followed his orders. He was the new king and Okoye had a job to do. Nevertheless, when she realized that his rule could destroy Wakanda, she fought back. She showed her loyalty when W’Kabi tried to use their love against her. Okoye immediately put him in his place.

If this writer is being honest, it’s highly unlikely that Okoye will become the Black Panther. If it’s not Shuri, it will probably be Nakia. She may want to carry on the legacy of the man she loved. Nakia may have said she’s not a fighter, but we’ve seen that she can fight when needed. And Shuri is the one people want to see since it happened in Marvel Comics.

Regardless of who is in the suit, Okoye is the most qualified, and she would also do a great job of carrying on the legacy of T’Challa.

What do you think, readers? Who would you pick to be the next Black Panther? Let us know in the comments below.