Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther 2, has addressed why Daniel Kaluuya’s W’Kabi doesn’t appear in Wakanda Forever.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, the long-awaited sequel to 2018’s Black Panther, is finally in cinemas now. You can read our spoiler-free review here.
The sequel was delayed following the death of Chadwick Boseman, who played T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and passed away in 2020.
However, there’s another character missing from the sequel: Daniel Kaluuya’s W’Kabi, so where is he?
Black Panther 2: Where is Daniel Kaluuya in Wakanda Forever?
Daniel Kaluuya’s W’Kabi doesn’t appear in Black Panther 2 because his character is “banished”, according to Ryan Coogler.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, the director said: “That’s a great question. He’s basically banished, but still within Wakanda’s borders, if that makes sense. It’s one line that refers to him still being alive.”
The moment Daniel Kaluuya revealed he had to pass on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever to star in Nope.Keke Palmer's dance is everything. pic.twitter.com/inED50a7ep
— Rotten Tomatoes (@RottenTomatoes) July 30, 2022
News emerged in July that Kaluuya wouldn’t be reprising his role for Wakanda Forever, with reports attributing the decision to scheduling conflicts with Jordan Peele’s Nope.
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Speaking to Variety after the trailer dropped, Kaluuya also said: “It’s what’s best for the story, what’s best for the film. I’m excited for it. I’m excited to watch it.”
He also told ET Online: “It’s love, man, but also, I’ve heard things and I know that they’re gonna do Chad an incredible, incredible, incredible service, so that’s what I really care about. I can’t wait to watch it.”
If you cast your mind back to Black Panther, W’Kabi betrayed T’Challa by supporting Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) after he crossed the Wakandan border with the dead body of Ulysses Klaue (Andy Serkis). The first movie never addressed the punishment for his actions, as he’s last seen facing off with Okoye (Danai Gurira).
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in cinemas now.
You can check out more of our Black Panther 2 coverage below:
Dexerto’s 3-star review of the movie | How does T’Challa die in the MCU? | Who is the new Black Panther? | Is there a post-credit scene? | Riri Williams explained | Namor explained
