Kaluuya played W’Kabi in 2018’s “Black Panther,” the best friend and confidant of T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) and the border tribe’s head of security. Sources close to the project tell Variety that Kaluuya was asked to return, but he was already committed to starring in Jordan Peele’s upcoming horror film “Nope.” Jacqueline Coley of Rotten Tomatoes first tweeted the news on Wednesday. “Wakanda Forever,” directed by Ryan Coogler, wrapped production in March and the film is set to debut on November 11. After Boseman’s death in 2020, Marvel decided not to recast the role of T’Challa. The sequel will explore other characters from the “Black Panther” world, while also honoring the legacy Boseman left behind. While original film stars Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett were confirmed to return, Kaluuya’s place in the second film has been unclear until now. “Wakanda Forever” also stars Dominique Thorne as a genius inventor, as well as Michaela Coel and Tenoch Huerta in undisclosed roles. Kaluuya is currently gearing up for the release of “Nope” on July 22nd. The sci-fi horror film stars Kaluuya alongside Keke Palmer and Steven Yeun and follows the residents of an isolated town who witness a mysterious event involving a UFO and set out to investigate.
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