In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stories of Black Panther have so far focused primarily on the character of T’Challa – from his introduction in Captain America: Civil War, through to groundbreaking solo outing Black Panther, and into Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame – as he took over the mantle from his fallen father King T’Chaka.

But following the tragic loss of Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Coogler’s sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be a very different kind of Black Panther movie – one without T’Challa at its centre, though still very much about his legacy.

Speaking to Empire in our world-exclusive Black Panther: Wakanda Forever cover feature, Marvel boss Kevin Feige opened up on the decision not to recast T’Challa.

Read Empire’s full world-exclusive Black Panther: Wakanda Forever feature – with the complete story on a film with all the odds stacked against it, featuring never-before-seen images and brand new interviews with director Ryan Coogler, Marvel boss Kevin Feige, stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Dominique Thorne, Tenoch Huerta, and more – in the November 2022 issue, on sale Thursday 29 September.