President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige spoke to
Entertainment Weekly about what the future of the MCU holds, specifically about the options opened up by their recent smash hit,
Black Panther. People are now asking for spin-offs in every direction, the most prominent suggestions being films based on supporting characters like Shuri and Okoye.
Feige wouldn’t go as far as to say either of those is happening, but they’re certainly open to the idea of spin-off films. Thankfully though, it seems that we have to worry about either of those characters being underutilized in the future. Here's what he said to EW on the topic:
I think there’s lots of potential. It’s a balance between leaving people wanting more and then giving them too much, but I would watch a movie about any of those characters you just named. I think Shuri’s astounding, and you’ll see much more of her in our universe. Okoye, I think I’d watch three action films just Okoye. I’m not saying we’re doing that, but I’m saying that we’re intrigued by them. Frankly, as I’ve said before, finishing these first 22 movies is really all we’re thinking about at this point.
Letitia Wright (who plays Shuri) is certainly open to a spin-off based on her character, as she discussed last month in an interview with Comicbook.com.
In a seperate discussion with EW; Feige was asked whether he had anything he could disclose about Black Panther 2. While not going into particulars about a sequel, he did confirm that they certainly have a solid foundation built for it. Here's the quote:
Nothing specific to reveal, other than to say we absolutely will do that. One of the favorite pastimes at Marvel Studios is sitting around on a Part One and talking and dreaming about what we would do in a Part Two. There have been plenty of those conversations as we were putting together the first Black Panther. We have ideas and a pretty solid direction on where we want to head with the second one.
Feige's thoughts on Black Panther 2 echo those of producer Nate Moore who also said that talks of a sequel began weeks into production of the first movie. Moore however took it one step further, saying that multiple sequels and spin-offs had also already been discussed. A few weeks ago, Feige stated that he hopes to have Ryan Coogler come back on-board to direct the sequel.
What would you like to see in the Black Panther sequel? Do you want director Ryan Coogler to return for it? Which character would you like to get spun-off into their own movie?