Black Panther 3 Reportedly Explores Wakandan Mythology

Credit:- Marvel Studios

For all the hiccups that plagued the Multiverse Saga post Avengers: Endgame, Ryan Coogler did not drop the ball with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, especially given he had to steer the movie following Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing. Although details regarding Black Panther 3 remain sparse as this saga approaches its final stretch, semi-reliable scooper Alex Perez has recently alleged that the threequel will lean more heavily into Wakanda’s lore (via The Cosmic Circus).

While it’s too early to predict how integral the history of Wakanda will be to the plot of the threequel, Perez further claimed that the movie will have a direct connection to another Marvel show.

Black Panther 3 Will Reportedly Have Ties to Eyes of Wakanda

Marvel Studios has already delved into Wakanda’s rich history through the Disney+ series Eyes of Wakanda, which became a sleeper hit for the platform upon its release in August. The four-part anthology series, which spans different historical periods, including Ancient Greece, the Trojan War, and the 1890s, follows the Hatut Zeraze, Wakanda’s secret police, in their quest to retrieve stolen vibranium.

Although the live-action MCU entries tend to overlook the events of the animated shows, in the case of Eyes of Wakanda, the series is not only canon to the mainline MCU but reportedly also has ties to Ryan Coogler’s upcoming threequel, according to Perez. While it can’t be said for certain if this will be the case in the threequel, if the threequel indeed leans toward Wakanda’s lore and mythology, it’s easy to see how the events of the series could be referenced in the movie.

What Is Wakandan Mythology? Black Panther Lore Explored

A still from Black Panther | Credit: Marvel Studios

Since the IP’s creation back in the mid-60s, the history of Black Panther and Wakanda has only deepened over the years. Beyond their technological prowess as a sovereign nation, the mythology surrounding Wakanda dates back eons, comprising gods, afterworlds, etc.

At its center exists Bast, the Panther goddess, who is also directly linked to the creation of the Black Panther mantle, as she was responsible for guiding the first Black Panther to the Heart-Shaped Herb with a vision. Other gods include Kokou, Mujaji, and Ptah, who represent war, hunger, and creation, respectively, and together they form Orisha, Wakanda’s pantheon.

In addition to the gods that are positioned as a governing force for both the physical and metaphysical realms of the nation, the Wakandan belief is also deeply rooted in the aforementioned Heart-Shaped Herb. Not only does it grant powers to the one who takes it, but the Heart-Shaped Herb also links the individual to the ancestral plane, as seen in the movies.

There’s also the white Gorilla Cult, which opposes the Panther tradition in the comics by drawing power from forbidden rituals. Interestingly, it also contributed to M’Baku’s transformation into Man-Ape in the comics. Lastly, the Vibranium, which landed on Earth millions of years ago, also adds a sense of cosmic layer to Wakanda’s lore, as many believe the meteorite in question was sent by the Celestial forces.

To clarify, this is just a brief overview of Wakanda’s mythology that spans decades of comics, as the entire Wakanda history and lore is too rich to cover in one piece.

Black Panther 3 Could Arrive Sooner Than Expected

A still from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Credit: Marvel Studios

Although there is no concrete timeline for Black Panther 3’s release, it might not be as long a wait as many presume. Even though the current focus of the MCU lies on the upcoming Avengers duology, which is expected to conclude the Multiverse Saga, Ryan Coogler, fresh off the success of Sinners, is already deep into development on the threequel.

When asked about the film’s status, Coogler, who is also involved in a revival of The X-Files, confirmed that the next Black Panther installment will be his next project, adding (via Deadline):

Furthermore, The New York Times previously reported that the threequel is expected to premiere in 2028, and going by Coogler’s remarks, there is a strong chance the movie could indeed arrive that year.

What are your expectations for the threequel? Comment below!