Warning: This article contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Read at your own risk!
Is Killmonger in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
Definitely one of the most compelling villains of the franchise is Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan, and he actually got a lot of people wanting for his return in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. However, the actor kept mum about him reprising the role. In the first Black Panther movie, Killmonger died in the hands of T’Challa while looking at the most beautiful sunset he could ever see, he even said “Death is better than bondage.” And while others theorized that he may still be alive, sorry, but he is actually dead. However, being dead doesn’t mean he is gone. See, Michael B. Jordan did come back as Killmonger in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Yes, he did but he isn’t alive, though. Following Shuri’s success in synthesizing and recreating the heart-shaped herb, the princess tried it for herself, thus, sending her to the ancestral plane. However, she didn’t see her family members there. She met Killmonger in the ancestral plane.
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Killmonger sits on the throne of Wakanda in clad white, representing the afterlife, and Shuri was so shocked to see her cousin there instead of T’Challa, Queen Ramonda, or even her father, King T’Chaka. It makes sense, though, why Killmonger arrived instead of her family. See, it varies who you meet at the ancestral plane. It may be someone close to you or someone who has the same intentions as you. In Shuri’s case, it is the latter. She couldn’t believe her eyes, though, but it is actually Killmonger before her. Shuri became consumed by so much hatred and vengeance especially after Queen Ramonda died when Namor flooded the throne room and the queen chose to save Riri Williams, in exchange, she drowned. This made Shuri really angry with Namor. Much like Killmonger who became the Black Panther with so much vengeance on his heart, Shuri became too focused on what she wants, not what is best for Wakanda. She put herself first before the others, thus, she saw Killmonger, the one who had the same intentions as her when being the Black Panther. While at the ancestral plane, Killmonger points out the flaws of each of the family of Shuri, even bringing flames into the room, similar to when he burned all the heart-shaped herbs. However, this visit meant something more: when Shuri is about to kill Namor, she gets a vision of her mother, reminding her to show who she really is, not who she may become as the new Black Panther but anchored by revenge. The questions of Killmonger resonated on Shuri, and she realizes that she needs to be the bigger person to forge an alliance with the Talocan so that the two nations would not go into a lengthy war, both of which may affect the future of their people. See the return of Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
