Marvel Studios typically utilizes post-credits stingers to set-up what's to come in future movies, and while Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's mid-credits sequence does follow suit to some extent, it stands out as an organic conclusion to this story - as opposed to a blatantly tacked-on or out-of-place teaser for the next MCU release.
It also happens to be one of the most poignant scenes in a movie full of emotional moments.
Major spoilers from this point on!
As you've no doubt heard by now, Wakanda Forever ends with the new Black Panther, Shuri (Letitia Wright), making her way a beach in Haiti to burn her funeral garb and finally allow herself to make peace with her brother's death. Then, in the mid-credits scene, we see Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) join her with a young boy (Divine Love Konadu-Sun) by her side.
The lad is introduced as Toussaint, and we soon learn that he is the son of T’Challa and Nakia. As Shuri chats with her nephew, he tells her that his real name is T'Challa. This obviously suggests that the boy will eventually grow to take on the mantle of Black Panther, and possibly even rule Wakanda as king.
T'Challa's legacy will live on, not only through his sister and the rest of his people, but his own son.
It's a powerful scene, and feels more connected - thematically and from a narrative standpoint - to the movie that preceded it than these stingers usually do because it actually addresses some lingering questions. For example, we now know why Nakia left Wakanda before the funeral, and what Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) was going to tell Shuri about her late brother before they were interrupted by Namor.
Have you guys managed to catch Black Panther: Wakanda Forever yet? If so, what did you make of this scene? Be sure to share your thoughts down below (you can check out our review here).
In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira), and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda. Introducing Tenoch Huerta as Namor, king of a hidden undersea nation, the film also stars Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena, and Alex Livanalli.