Fans have mixed feelings about the decision to recast the character.

Recently, Marvel’s Kevin Feige has hinted at a possible MCU reboot after four years with Avengers: Secret Wars. Feige has also said in a recent interview with Variety that the MCU has “barely scratched the surface” of the story potential from Marvel Comics.
Marvel Studios- AvengersMarvel Studios- Avengers

Now this might come as a soft reboot to streamline the timeline and reintroduce characters who left the franchise. So, could it bring back T’Challa?

Kevin Feige’s Soft Reboot For Marvel Might Reportedly Bring T’Challa Back

Kevin FeigeKevin Feige
Considering the franchise’s overall success, the reason behind an MCU reboot (even a soft one) remains a question.

The necessity for timeline consolidation arose as Marvel gained rights to former Fox Marvel characters like the X-Men and the Fantastic Four. In addition to that, with perceived issues in Marvel TV, Disney is rebooting its entire approach to make new shows.

A soft reboot would definitely allow Kevin Feige to keep up with the successful elements while removing what doesn’t work. It will also offer the opportunity to reintroduce major character brands, including Iron Man, Black Panther aka T’Challa, Thanos, Steve Rogers, and others who have either retired or been killed off.

 

According to this tweet on X, it is likely confirmed that T’challa is returning in Black Panther.

T’Challa Was a More Focused Character in Marvel Than He Was Shown

Marvel's Black PantherMarvel’s Black Panther
T’Challa was originally intended to become a central MCU character. The character appeared in just four MCU films before Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer in August 2020. Since then, Marvel Studios has not recast the role, and industry experts considered it as a smart move for the franchise.

Later, the franchise made the required changes to create an aura of Black Panther in the absence of Chadwick. However, the makers had decided that computer-generated imagery or VFX could not bring back Chadwick. But now, according to the above tweet, it looks like Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther will finally be replaced.

A comment by @lopakalypse on the original tweet said:
“We knew T’Challa was coming back though.. we also understand that Battleworld is going to reform the Multiverse, which is soft rebooting everything. Cap is Sam..Iron Man would be the only necessity.” 
Here’s what other fans think of this decision:

 

 

 

 

T’Challa is an important character in the MCU who needs his story told & recasting wouldn’t make Chadwick’s performance any less impactful, either.