One of the most anticipated films of the year, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has established itself. One of the best Marvel films to date, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever honors the legacy that the late Chadwick Boseman left behind. The Marvel movie is full of strong-willed, powerful, and dynamic women who are committed to defending Wakanda and its inhabitants, from the cinematography to the soundtrack. Let’s explore how Wakanda Forever has produced the female characters who will influence the MCU’s future.
Shuri grieves her brother’s passing in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Shuri:
Letitia Wright’s Shuri, who played a sister-in-grief with great force, was the epitome of toughness throughout this film. Shuri had to deal with the loss of both her mother and brother while defending Wakanda against Namor and the Talocan as the new queen and soon-to-be new Black Panther. Shuri ultimately makes the heroic decision to forge a compromise with Namor so that Wakandans and Talocans can live in peace, following in the footsteps of her brother.
According to TIME, “In the comics. He’s equally multifaceted and frequently finds himself partnered with or at odds with the classic good guys like the Avengers. The X-Men, and the Fantastic Four.” With Namor scheming after the movie, I do not doubt that the new Black Panther will soon be seen in action.
Tensions flare between Okoye and Queen Ramonda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Queen Ramonda:
In the first scene after King T’challa has left, Queen Ramonda asks. “Have I not sacrificed everything?” We later watch as Namor murders the Queen of the most powerful country in the world as she sends shivers down our spines. We witness a discussion between Shuri and M’Baku regarding whether or not she will carry out her mother’s goals and ideas for the nation after she assumes the throne and becomes the Black Panther. Even though Queen Ramonda is no longer with us, Shuri carries on her heritage, and this is made clear throughout the rest of the movie.
Riri Williams:
Ironheart, a 19-year-old prodigy, was compared to Ironman multiple times throughout the movie. One example is when Shuri, Okoye, and she had to flee from the police trying to raid her warehouse. She made an iron-man-like costume. In a scenario where she was over the oxygen saturation level for humans. The movie showed her suit freezing, her dropping, and then a fast rise back up as she got closer to the sea. In the first Iron Man, Tony Stark experienced a similar situation as this one. Later, Shuri and Riri combine their efforts to create another Heart-Shaped-Herb, giving Shuri the power and speed of the Black Panther.
“Ironheart has, at times, been part of the Young Avengers team. A much-anticipated (but yet to be announced) Young Avengers project could include her, alongside Ms. Marvel, Wanda Maximoff’s twins Speed and Wiccan, and America Chavez from Doctor Strange, among others” says TIME Magazine. I can’t wait to see Riri’s story in the upcoming Disney+ show, Ironheart.
Nakia searches for Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Nakia:
A war spy, “Nakia is the secret weapon in Wakanda’s chest. Bringing all the intel that is essential to protect them from the outer world. In the absence of the love of her life. The only thing driving her forward is the love of her country” (WION). After about a fourth of the movie, we see Queen Ramonda go to Nakia for help to find Shuri after she had been kidnapped by Namor. Nakia finds Shuri and finally returns to Wakanda to help fight the Talocan. At the end of the film, we see a very emotional and powerful moment: Shuri meets her son, T’Challa, whose father was King T’Challa.
Presumably, screenwriters Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole introduced little T’Challa for a reason. Will some bad guy try to expose his identity? Threatening the future of Wakanda? Will he return to his homeland and begin to learn how to rule the country? If so, we can expect Nakia to be there fighting for Wakanda, herself, and her son.
Okoye:
Okoye has consistently bravely fought to defend Wakanda as the general of Wakanda’s most formidable soldiers the Dora Milaje. He was demoted from his position as a general of the Dora Milaje after “losing” Shuri to Namor. Although he continued to engage in combat. Later, during the ultimate conflict between the Wakandans and the Talocan Okoye. And Nakia commanded. The Dora Milaje and other Wakandan soldiers defended Wakanda and the Black Panther. I can’t wait to see what else the MCU has in store for Okoye.
I can’t wait to see what the Marvel Universe’s strong women accomplish next!