Following star Letitia Wright’s on-set injuries, Marvel Studios’Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverhas officially begun its production hiatus for the remainder of 2021.
It appears Wright’s injuries are believed to be far more serious than initially thought. Wright was hospitalized back in August 2021 after an accident that occurred on the set ofBlack Panther2. She has since been recovering in London from theinjuries she sustained while filmingBlack Panther 2, which are now being listed as a severe shoulder fracture and a concussion with severe side effects.
RELATED:MCU: What Makes Vibranium Such A Valuable Resource?
Deadline reports it was Friday morning when Marvel executives Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Nate Moore sent out a note to the entire cast and crew confirming the production hiatus. “What we had initially thought were minor injuries turned out to be much more serious with Letitia suffering a critical shoulder fracture, and a concussion with severe side effects,” shared the Marvel executives. “It has been a painful process and Letitia has been home recovering with her doctors and the support of family.” The note also included thatproduction onBlack Panther 2will resume in January 2022.
This production hiatus also comes after reports have revealed that Wright is not vaccinated against COVID-19, which could create more production difficulties, especially for the upcoming Atlanta set, as the CDC rules require proof of vaccination for non-citizens entering the U.S. Even though Disney recently shifted the release dates of all of its slated 2022 Marvel films, theBlack Panthersequel is still expected to keep its late 2022 release date. Wright’s character Shuri, the brilliant mind who is also T’Challa’s / Black Panther’s sister, is set to play a more prominent role in the sequel, especially after the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman back in August 2020.
It was in a recent interview where Moore shed more light on Boseman’s character and potential recasting, sharing that he and so many others agree that they will not be having T’Challa appear in future Marvel films and that the decision to move forward without the character was made a year ago. Feige has also confirmed thatBlack Panther 2will explore more of Wakanda, including its rich history ancestors, with rumors also suggesting the sequel to introduce the Atlantean villain Namor.
Other returning cast members include Lupita Nyong’o’s Nakia, Danai Gurira’s Okoye, Martin Freeman’s Everett K. Ross, Winston Duke’s M’Baku, and Angela Bassett’s Ramonda. New additions includeDominique Thorne as Riri Williams / Iron Heart, a genius inventor who creates a suit that rivals Tony Stark’s Iron Man armor. A series for Disney Plus titledIronheartis in development.
Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris finally set to arrive in theatres on November 11th, 2022.
