In Avengers: Doomsday, Wakanda’s key figures are set to return to the center of a massive superhero ensemble. Among them is Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, who now carries the Black Panther mantle. The role has one of the most layered histories in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the Looper video above provides a useful guide to every major character who has worn the iconic suit.
Chadwick Boseman introduced the MCU’s original Black Panther, T’Challa, who appeared across several Marvel projects before headlining Ryan Coogler’s acclaimed 2018 solo film. Black Panther became a global box-office phenomenon and established Boseman as one of the franchise’s defining stars. His death in 2020, at age 43, after a private battle with colon cancer, profoundly changed the character’s future. Yet Boseman’s passing did not end Black Panther’s story; instead, it set the stage for one of the MCU’s most complicated mantle changes.
The MCU has seen multiple Black Panthers, and a new one is on his way
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Unlike heroes such as Spider-Man, Black Panther is not tied to a single individual. The title traditionally belongs to a prominent young member of Wakanda’s royal family, who assumes the suit and receives the abilities associated with the heart-shaped herb. In the MCU’s live-action timeline, the most significant holders have included T’Chaka, T’Challa’s father, T’Challa himself, and Shuri. N’Jadaka, better known as Erik “Killmonger” Stevens and played by Michael B. Jordan, also briefly claimed the mantle during the events of Black Panther.
Shuri officially became Wakanda’s champion in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, ensuring that the nation’s protector remains a vital part of the MCU. Her reign, however, may eventually give way to a new successor. In the planned 2028 release Black Panther 3, David Jonsson is expected to play T’Challa, who is widely believed to be the hidden son of the original T’Challa and Nakia, portrayed by Lupita Nyong’o. Despite the real-world loss that reshaped the franchise, Black Panther’s legacy continues—and the Looper video above recaps how the story reached its current chapter.
