I’ve been one of those that has said from day 1, do NOT recast T’Challa. I mean, the T’Challa that was portrayed by Chadwick Boseman before his sad and untimely death.
The reason why I’ve said this is because if Chadwick’s character was recast, they would forever live in the shadow of Boseman and ALWAYS be compared. That may be true to an extent in this article but not so much.
Obvious spoilers inbound.
At the end of Wakanda Forever, Shuri learns that Nakia has a son. T’Challa was the father. The name of their child is also T’Challa which does mean they will be gearing up for another T’Challa to take the Wakandan throne eventually.
Honestly, I didn’t expect them to do it this way and I’m happy they have. It means Chadwick’s legacy can live on forever and live through Shuri and a new T’Challa.
Before this though, no actor really grew on me that could be T’Challa. I knew characters such as Shuri, M’Baku, and Killmonger could become Black Panther and do it well. T’Challa though, I just couldn’t see it.
That was until Black Adam was released.
Aldis Hodge portrayed Hawkman in the movie. A character I couldn’t have cared less about prior to the movie, but immediately, his introduction gave me this “badass king” vibe. Within seconds, I said to my wife; “he would actually make a very good T’Challa”. She agreed.
Obviously, the role of portraying any Wakandan is essentially the accent. Although this T’Challa could grow up elsewhere and have an American accent or something else, but it wouldn’t give off the same vibe.
If Aldis Hodge could nail that accent, he would be amazing for the role. He has the attitude, the charisma, the fighting, and the general look down to a T. It also helps that he weirdly looks a bit like Chadwick Boseman in certain scenes. That may have just been me though.
I have no idea where Coogler intends to go with the franchise moving forward, although one thing I do believe – Shuri will be our Black Panther for a while yet. I’m fine with that. Aldis will likely have future things planned with DC anyway, considering how fantastic his performance was.
But…eventually, judging by Wakanda Forever – T’Challa will eventually return. Even if it’s in 5 or so years, Aldis Hodge would be my go-to choice for that as it currently stands.
In the end, though, Chadwick Boseman left a mark on the world. Over 2 years on since he passed and it still hurts. I never met him personally, but the stories I heard were beautiful. I am still devastated that we’ll never see him suit up again. That legacy will live on. HIS legacy will live on for the test of time.
