The Wakandans are back — and while honoring their fallen hero, there’s a new Black Panther on the horizon.
Hollywood Unlocked was on the red carpet at the world premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Hollywood, where we caught up with the film’s biggest stars, along with director, writer, and producer Ryan Coogler.
As fans will remember, Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away in August 2020, just before the sequel was expected to begin production. Though his physical presence was absent, his spirit remains deeply woven into the emotional fabric of the film. Stars like Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, and Tenoch Huerta Mejía all shared the same sentiment — that Boseman’s legacy was not only honored on-screen but was profoundly felt on set and on the red carpet.
Wakanda Forever pays tribute to King T’Challa, Boseman’s beloved character, while also shifting focus to Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright), who, without giving too much away, is poised to take on a much greater role — including stepping into the mantle of the Black Panther.
When speaking with Coogler about continuing the film without Boseman, he reflected that while the loss was devastating, the story had to move forward — but it could only do so by deeply honoring Boseman’s impact and what he meant to the culture.
In the broader Marvel Comics storyline, there comes a time when a new king — or queen — must rise to protect Wakanda. Without revealing any spoilers, Wakanda Forever carries this evolution forward with power and grace.
Related: Letitia Wright Hospitalized After Filming Stunt For Black Panther 2
The Soundtrack: A Major Moment
Alongside the premiere, another major reveal had fans buzzing — the announcement of the film’s soundtrack. Featuring a variety of artists, the soundtrack has one name everyone was especially excited to see: Rihanna.
After a nearly six-year musical hiatus, Rihanna returns with a new single titled “Lift Me Up,” created as a tribute to Chadwick Boseman and described as the emotional core of the film’s soundtrack.
Just hours before the premiere, Rihanna teased a snippet of the song on Instagram, offering a glimpse of the heartfelt ballad that ties perfectly into the film’s themes of remembrance, resilience, and rising forward.
Related: Chadwick Boseman’s Brother Recalls Last Conversation He Had With The Late Star