Warning: This article contains spoilers for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Following the unfortunate death of Chadwick Boseman, fans were anxious to see how director Ryan Coogler would handle the Black Panther story. All eyes were on him, and no one knew what to expect. What they learned was that it would be an emotional journey. On November 2022,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverlanded in theaters and blew everyone away. A lot has changed in the world’s most advanced nation. There isn’t just a new Black Panther but also a new ruler of Wakanda.
Some viewers may have felt a little confused when M’Baku (Winston Duke) stepped out of the Wakandan aircraft to challenge for the throne in place of Shuri. The leader of the Jabari announced his candidacy for the throne, which the leaders of the nation seemed to welcome this time around. However, they were expecting Shuri (played by Letitia Wright) to take the place of her mother and brother. Why did M’Baku become king instead of Shuri?
Update August 05, 2025: It has been over a year since the release ofBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, so this article has been updated with more information regarding Shuri, M’Baku, and the rest of the MCU.
Traditions of Wakanda
By the traditions of Wakanda, the Black Panther has always protected the nation for hundreds of years. No matter who it is, there is always a Black Panther. However, the one who holds the mantle isn’t always the King of Wakanda. When we first met the Wakandan royalty inCaptain America: Civil War, the king at the time was T’Chaka, T’Challa’s father. However, it was T’Challa who was the Black Panther, having taken the mantle from his father, which is why he was able to spring into action so fast following the death of the King. By this standard, Shuri can hold the mantle after her brother while M’Baku holds the throne.
WhileWakanda Foreverdoesn’t officially confirm that M’Baku took the throne, he is likely the new king as Shuri was in Haiti at the time visiting Nakia. She probably doesn’t want to rule the country due to her other duties as Wakanda’s greatest hero. She also likely never wanted to be the leader of a nation and instead put her focus on her scientific research.
She doesn’t seem to mind letting M’Baku take that position instead. In fact, the leader of the Jabari was probably given Shuri’s blessing to succeed Queen Romanda after her death. When he stepped out of the aircraft instead of Shuri, M’Baku said, “The Black Panther sends her regards, but she will not be joining us today. I, M’Baku, leader of the Jabari Tribe, son of Wakanda, wish to challenge for the throne!”
Most of the elders at the ceremony seemed happy to see M’Baku, showing that they were okay with him taking Shuri’s place. And for another to challenge for the throne, they would have to be of noble birth. There was likely no other challenger that could reasonably beat M’Baku. So, he would have been crowned as the new King of Wakanda uncontested. And if all this isn’t reason enough to believe that M’Baku is now king, Winston Duke confirmed it himself in a video interview withEsquire.
How Has M’Baku Changed?
M’Baku was more of an antagonistic figure when first introduced. He disputed many of Wakanda’s customs and wasn’t easy to broker with to aid in the nation’s protection. But inWakanda Forever, it was clear that he had changed for the better. While the Wakandan elders were arguing over how to approach their Talokan problem, M’Baku showed wisdom worthy of thenew king of Wakandaby acting as a surprising voice of reason. Even though it had been his idea to strike first against the underwater kingdom, he eventually came to see the Talokan people’s loyalty to Namor and argued that war was not the answer. And even though he had opposed Shuri for her technological advancements in the last film, this one saw him acting as a big brother figure towards her by trying to encourage her to think past her need for revenge.
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Despite whatever his feelings may have been in the past, M’Baku was able to put them aside to come to the aid of T’Challa in reclaiming the throne from Killmonger. Whatever he may be, he’s a man who cares for his people and his country. M’Baku may be more of a steward than aking as T’Challa was revealed to have had a sonbefore he died, young Toussaint could eventually grow to take his rightful seat on the throne. M’Baku could just be a placeholder for the time being until Prince T’Challa comes of age to take the seat his father once sat. For now, the boy continues to live in Haiti with Nakia because she and T’Challa thought it would be best for him to have a somewhat normal life, away from the life of a Wakandan royal. But the day could come when fans see the royal family take back their ancestral seat.
Why Did Shuri Abdicate the Throne?
The big question isn’t why M’Baku became king but why Shuri didn’t take the throne herself. Shuri went through quite a journey and metamorphosis inWakanda Forever. The last couple of times fans saw her, she was more of a happy-go-lucky character who aided T’Challa in his efforts.Wakanda Foreversaw her forced to step into her brother’s shoes for the safety and protection of Wakanda. She was clearly not as collected and reserved as her brother, though. She was motivated by her need for vengeance for her mother’s murder and led by her rage. This is why she sawKillmonger in the Ancestral Plane: because she subconsciously reached out to the relative who would most recognize what she was going through emotionally.
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Despite her anger and pain, she recognized that she was on the wrong path and that her trajectory was not what her family would have wanted for her, which is why she forced Namor to submit rather than avenge her mother by killing him. After sparing him, Shuri likely realized that she wasn’t ready to rule and still had a lot to learn. M’Baku was the next best choice.
What Could Happen in a PotentialBlack Panther 3?
Althougha thirdBlack Pantherfilmhas not been confirmed, the possibility that Marvel will make one is strong (and so is the possibility that Shuri and her allies could appear in another MCU project before then.)Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s box office numbers were strong and the franchise is one of the MCU’s most popular. The MCU is fond of a threequel — some examples being theIron Manfilms,Captain Americafilms, orGuardians of the Galaxyfilms. And the new Black Panther herself,Letitia Wright, made it clear that although the potentialBlack Panther 3isn’t in development, she wants to see it happen.
If Marvel fans get lucky enough forBlack Panther 3, no doubt they will get to see M’Baku and Shuri working together once more. M’Baku would rule Wakanda and keep everything running smoothly. Shuri would continue her work as the Black Panther, perhaps working with Ironheart again or teaming up with any other heroes of the Avengers (or even Guardians) variety. Both Shuri and M’Baku would help defend the country from any new threats or attackers with the help of their fellow Wakandans, not giving up no matter what they face. Shuri and Nakia may even bring Prince T’Challa to Wakanda to learn more about his heritage.
There is also the possibility of the story continuing beforeBlack Panther 3.Wakanda Foreverteased a major geopolitical conflict brewing in the MCUover Vibranium. This could lay the groundwork for stories likeCaptain America: Brave New WorldandThunderbolts, and as various countries from around the world come into conflict with one another, it is likely Wakanda and its leaders will get involved.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forevershowed fans that Shuri was a flawed character compared to her almost saintly brother. However, Shuri’s story is only just beginning. She will likely face many more conflicts and moral choices as her story progresses, and as she does so, M’Baku will be there to support her and run Wakanda in her stead.
