The initial preview for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was the highlight of the San Diego Comic-Con event in July. Now, let’s analyze it in detail.
Funeral for a king
The trailer for the movie hints at the emotional impact of T’Challa’s death on Wakanda. The song “No Woman, No Cry” sets a somber tone as scenes show T’Challa’s family and friends grieving. The cause of his death is not revealed in the trailer, but it is likely that the movie will explore and explain the circumstances surrounding his passing. The trailer also shows T’Challa’s sister Shuri and mother Queen Ramonda participating in a funeral procession, with Shuri holding the Black Panther helmet, indicating the weight of his legacy.
Namor is born
In the trailer, there is a scene where a pregnant woman is shown giving birth underwater, suggesting that the baby born is Namor the Sub-Mariner. It is implied that Namor is the child of a human male and an Atlantean princess. In later scenes, an adult Namor, portrayed by Tenoch Huerta, is seen in various moments, including a scene where he and others are hit by energy while on a beach, and M’Baku leaps towards him from a boat. These glimpses indicate that Namor will play a significant role in the movie.
The movie seems to set up a conflict between Atlantis, led by Namor, and Wakanda, as someone takes on the mantle of leadership in the absence of T’Challa. While the specific details of the conflict are unknown, in the comic books, Atlantis and Wakanda have a history of being adversaries. CIA agent Everett Ross, portrayed by Martin Freeman, makes an appearance in the trailer, appearing concerned about the situation unfolding.
In the trailer, there are several characters with light blue skin, who are depicted as Namor’s fellow Atlanteans. Interestingly, Namor himself does not have the same skin color due to his human heritage. The depiction of Atlantis in the trailer appears to draw inspiration from the Maya civilization, showcasing its unique architecture and cultural elements.
Family losses
In the trailer, Queen Ramonda is shown in a state of anguish, expressing that she is the queen of the world’s most powerful nation and her entire family is gone. While Shuri is not depicted as dead in the movie, both T’Challa and T’Chaka, their father, are no longer present. There has been speculation about the context of Ramonda’s statement. Some have suggested that she might be referring to the aftermath of the Thanos snap, which initially caused the disappearance of Shuri and T’Challa but was later reversed. It is also possible that Shuri’s absence or presumed death in the film’s setting could be due to some other event or storyline.
Ironheart
In the trailer, a glimpse of Riri Williams, also known as Ironheart, can be seen at 1:33. The character is portrayed by young actress Dominique Thorne. Riri is shown working on her own Iron Man-style suit and is seen cutting out a heart symbol, representing her name. Additionally, there is a touching moment where Riri and Shuri share a handshake in Shuri’s lab, suggesting a connection and possible collaboration between the two characters.
Aneka in blue
The Dora Milaje, Wakanda’s all-female army, is featured in the trailer. Among them is Aneka, portrayed by Michaela Coel, who is seen wearing blue armor. In the comics, Aneka has an intriguing backstory where she was demoted from her position in the group for killing an abusive leader. It remains to be seen how much of this history will be included in the movie. The blue armor represents the Midnight Angels, an elite faction within the Dora Milaje.
A new Black Panther emerges
In the final moments of the trailer, a person wearing the Black Panther suit is shown revealing their claws. Speculation suggests that this could be Shuri, taking on the mantle of Black Panther after the passing of her brother. However, Marvel has kept the details under wraps, not wanting to reveal any major spoilers before the film’s release.
The music in the Black Panther Wakanda Forever trailer
The trailer begins with the soulful rendition of Bob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” performed by Nigerian singer Tems. Later, the music transitions to include Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright.” The combination of these two songs adds a powerful and emotional atmosphere to the trailer, enhancing the storytelling and creating a captivating experience for the viewers.
