- *Warning: Potential spoilers ahead.*
New Black Panther: Wakanda Forever footage has sparked further fan theories over who could be taking over from Chadwick Boseman as the country's protector.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is the sequel to Black Panther, released in 2018, which starred Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa, as well as the fictional country's protector.
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Sadly, Boseman passed away in August 2020 at the age of 43 after battling colon cancer.
While Marvel decided Boseman's character of T'Challa will not be re-cast - with his death subsequently set to be addressed in Wakanda Forever - the figure of Wakanda's protector, the Black Panther, lives on.
But who will continue Boseman's legacy?
Keep your eyes peeled as you watch the latest footage here:
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to conclude 'phase four' of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. But how could it conclude without its titular role?
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Fear not, because one character is stepping up to the plate and fans already think they know who it is.
One eagle-eyed fan in particular has even been quick to spot a few similarities between one of the characters and the vibranium armour worn by Black Panther in new footage and has shared their theory on social media.
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Taking to Twitter, Culture Crave shared a screenshot from the latest clip alongside an image of T'Challa's younger sister, Shuri (played by Letitia Wright).
As well as Shuri and Black Panther holding themselves in the same position - fists clenched and held firmly out in front of them - other users were quick to point out several other similarities between the two.
One user said: "Her face paint is a dead giveaway as well. The mask has the same tribal pattern."
"Is there perhaps a connection here that maybe shuri gives whoever is in the suit her gloves?" another theorised.
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A third responded: "Oh thats a good theory hm."
Elsewhere on social media, other Black Panther fans have suggested T'Challa's former lover and undercover spy for Wakanda (a.k.a. War Dog), Nakia (Lupita Amondi Nyong'o) could take on the role of the country's protector.
"Once you watch the trailer, you automatically realise that M'Baku is not this movie's Black Panther. I'm leaning towards it being Nakia. She has the combat mixed martial arts background, and she went toe to toe with Killmonger as Black Panther. The Queen also wanted her as BP," one user explained.
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Despite villain Erik Killmonger (Michael B Jordan) having died in the first film, another user suggested he may return as Black Panther after similarities in the pair's costumes were spotted by fans.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently set for release on 11 November.
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Topics: Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman, Celebrity, Film and TV, Twitter, Social Media, Viral
Poppy Bilderbeck