Kevin Feige says talk of Killmonger return in Black Panther 2 is “pure rumor”

Back in May 2018 a rumour circulated online suggesting that Michael B. Jordan was in talks to reprise his role as Erik Killmonger in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther 2, and this gained some weight earlier this year when Jordan’s Black Panther co-star Angela Bassett seemingly confirmed his return.

Well, according to Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige, it’s all just rumour, as he says that director Ryan Coogler is only just now beginning to put together the story for the follow-up to the 2018 smash hit superhero blockbuster.

“The honest answer to that is that is pure rumor and speculation, because Mr. Coogler is just only in recent weeks sitting down at his keyboard and beginning to outline the movie,” Feige told BET. “It’s early, so nothing is set yet in any way that far, because Mr. Coogler is sitting down and will share it with [Black Panther producer] Nate Moore and myself in coming weeks.”

Given that Coogler and Jordan are good friends and frequent collaborators, it’s certainly wouldn’t be a surprise if we do see Killmonger appearing in the film in some capacity, even if it’s only the briefest of cameos.

After the events of Captain America: Civil War, King T’Challa returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne from factions within his own country. When two foes conspire to destroy Wakanda, the hero known as Black Panther must team up with C.I.A. agent Everett K. Ross and members of the Dora Milaje, Wakandan special forces, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Black Panther sees Ryan Coogler (Creed) directing Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa alongside Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M’Baku, Forest Whitaker as Zuri, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, Martin Freeman as Everett Ross, Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, John Kani as King T’Chaka and Nabiyah Be as Linda.