Black Panther II – What about Azari?
If ever an actor embodied a role, it was the late great Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa in Black Panther.
Chadwick was also excellent portraying James Brown. I must also mention Nelsan Ellis, who died at the the young age of 39. Nelsan portrayed Bobby Byrd to Chadwick’s James Brown in the film Get On Up.
Chadwick’s stellar acting as Jackie Robinson in the film 42 deserves mention as well. Sadly, Chadwick’s life was cut short by cancer, a disease that claimed my mom a few years ago. Marvel announced that the role would not be recast for Black Panther II, which is a fitting tribute to Chadwick’s legacy.
So, how can Marvel honor Chadwick and continue T’Challa’s story? Well, how about introducing his son Azari, the child T’Challa had with his ex-wife Storm?
For those unfamiliar with Azari, here’s a bit of info from Marvel’s wiki:
https://marvel.fandom.com/wiki/Azari_
I suggest this, not to say that Shuri or even Nakia couldn’t become Black Panther in the sequel, but now that Marvel has the rights to the X-Men back, introducing Azari would enable the teen to explore his roots in Wakanda and the powers he’s inherited from his father, T’Challa.
So, where’s he been all this time? Well, with his mother’s people (Storm is also from Africa) as she’s been teaching him how to harness the abilities he’s inherited from her (Electrokinesis).
Whether Marvel decides to have T’Challa on some off world adventure for Black Panther II or to state that he did die, Azari’s tale could move the Black Panther legacy forward in several ways.
Perhaps Storm and the Queen Mother of Wakanda don’t always get along, but for the sake of Azari, the two agree to disagree. Nakia would be a fitting step mother, as well as Shuri as a mentor closer in age to Azari. Can’t forget Okoye, who could be enlisted to teach Azari fighting moves and history of the Dora Milaje.
It would be great to see these strong black women molding and mentoring T’Challa’s son, in addition to his mother.
And M’Baku could be utilized to also help Azari become as wise and empathetic as his father T’Challa. There could also be redemption for W’Kabi, if director and writer Ryan Coogler and writer Joe Robert Cole decide W’Kabi has a change of heart over his betrayal of T’Challa and Wakanda.
Whatever Coogler and Cole decide, I know Black Panther II will be at the top of my must-see list. The film’s release date is July 2022.