After four long years, the latest trailer for Avengers: Doomsday has finally answered a burning question left dangling since Black Panther: Wakanda Forever! You see, while Shuri took up the mantle of the Black Panther, she wasn't interested in ruling Wakanda. This isn't the first time the roles of Black Panther and king have been separate in Marvel lore, but it's a significant shift for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
So, who is the new ruler of Wakanda? Wakanda Forever strongly hinted at Winston Duke's M'Baku, who was originally a rival to T'Challa. M'Baku is a fan favorite, and seeing him take on a bigger role is exciting. His different philosophy from T'Challa and Shuri adds a fascinating dynamic.
M'Baku is Confirmed as King
The new Avengers: Doomsday trailer, set in Wakanda, features Shuri's return. Her voiceover confirms M'Baku as the new king, whose role is to prepare his people for what's coming. This hints at the massive scale of Doomsday and connects to the previous X-Men: Doomsday trailer, which suggests the mutant reality also faces destruction. Wakanda's role mirrors the comics that set up the 2015 Secret Wars event, where T'Challa first learned of the multiverse's peril.
But here's where it gets controversial... Subtle clues reveal significant changes in Wakanda under M'Baku's reign. Shuri's Black Panther armor has been updated, incorporating Atlantean technology. This indicates a strong alliance between Wakanda and Atlantis, which benefits both. This is a bit unexpected, as M'Baku was more isolationist than T'Challa. However, both kingdoms have historically kept to themselves, so they have common ground.
And this is the part most people miss... The intriguing question is whether M'Baku's Wakanda continues sharing technology with the rest of the MCU. It's amusing to see the Fantastic Four arrive in Wakanda, likely assuming the rest of the MCU is equally advanced. In reality, Wakanda is probably the most technologically advanced nation in the MCU. This makes Wakanda stand out. The question now is: What will Wakanda do with such high stakes, especially under M'Baku's confident leadership?
What do you think? Does M'Baku's reign excite you? Do you think the alliance with Atlantis is a good move? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Is this a positive change for the MCU? Let's discuss it!
