Wakanda Forever: Black Panther 2's New Title Explained (& Why It's Perfect)

[kardashian09]

Black Panther 2 has been in the works for some time now, with Ryan Coogler back as writer-director. There aren’t many details about what the film will be about and the sequel had to be reworked following Chadwick Boseman’s untimely and tragic death last year. However, Marvel Studios confirmed the title of the film, officially called Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and it’s actually quite perfect for various reasons. 

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is a nod to the salute used by citizens of the fictional African country. The Wakanda Forever salute became especially popular following the release of 2018's Black Panther. With hands curled into fists and arms crossed over one’s chest, the gesture was used as a greeting by Wakandans and it was also a symbol of utmost respect. It was also a phrase and salute employed right before battle, as exemplified by T’Challa right before fighting Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War. Wakanda Forever signified longevity and meaning well beyond the framework of the first film, while also denoting Black excellence and pride.

The phrase was all over social media when Black Panther first arrived in theaters and, years later, remains a central symbol of the film, one that has taken on even more meaning than ever before. While the title is a reference to the gesture itself, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever also speaks to the lasting impact and power of the first film, which is now firmly embedded in pop culture. Most everyone knows what it means when someone does the Wakanda Forever salute, even when they might not say the words. Black Panther made history — as both a film and as an individual character and the effects of either cannot be overstated. In this vein, Wakanda’s influence lives on forever and the sequel’s title is very much a nod to this idea.