A Black Panther Star Suggests Erik Killmonger Could Be Alive

A lot of villains have come and gone in the MCU, but short of Thanos, Erik Killmonger is almost certainly the most memorable. Michael B. Jordan’s performance was compelling and tragic. It was so gripping that we were almost disappointed to see T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) cut his rival down. Or did he? One of Jordan’s fellow Black Panther stars may know a little something about his character’s fate.

Marvel is notoriously careful about spoilers. The casts are often under immense scrutiny to keep their lips zipped, although there are a few who are more reliable than others. However, what are the rules for relatives of Marvel casts? Black Panther star Angela Bassett’s husband apparently thinks that he is above Marvel law.

Acclaimed actor Courtney B. Vance hit the red carpet with his wife at the Screen Actor Guild Awards on Sunday. Although the buzz was all about Bassett, Vance was ready to pitch in and help field press questions. Maybe he knows he won’t get as much flack as his sweetheart if something slips.

ET’S Nischelle Turner caught the couple and asked Bassett if “everybody” would be returning to the Black Panther sequel. “I would assume so,” she replied coyly. After a few moments of trying to skirt around the issue, Vance dropped the big news.

“Yes, just go ahead and say it, yes! Everyone will be there, including Michael B.,” he revealed. If true, that would be major MCU news. Bassett keenly pointed out that we didn’t actually see Killmonger take his last breath on screen. He just refused medical treatment after T’Challa delivered a deadly blow. Could there be potential that the scorned heir of Wakanda was actually saved?

Moreover, where would Killmonger fit into the new film? He is family, after all. Maybe there is an opportunity to see him accepted back into Wakanda, a reformed man. Shuri (Letitia Wright) did take in Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) after he attacked Captain America (Chris Evans). We’d love to see T’Challa and Killmonger patch things up.

Featured Image: Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER..L to R: Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) and W’Kabi (Daniel Kaluuya)..Ph: Film Frame..©Marvel Studios 2018

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelle Long

Kelle has written about film and TV for The Credits since 2016. Follow her on Twitter @molaitdc for interviews with really cool film and TV artists and only occasional outbursts about Broadway, tennis, and country music. Please no talking or texting during the movie. Unless it is a musical, then sing along loudly.