Marvel fans are calling for Black Panther actress Letitia Wright to be replaced in the sequel with another actress to play the role of Shuri—the sister of Black Panther T'Challa who was played by the late Chadwick Boseman—because of her anti-vax stance.
Production on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, suddenly halted due to the actress' on-set injury involving a stunt rig back on August 25.
While filming is scheduled to resume in early 2022, no exact date was given due to the unclear extent of Wright's "minor" injury as she is recovering at her home in England.
Letitia Wright's vaccination status raises logistical issues for Black Panther 2 https://t.co/WQRTFKabfz pic.twitter.com/36HQ5BhibN
— The A.V. Club (@TheAVClub) November 11, 2021
Previously, the Guyanese-born British actress received flak for sharing an anti-vaccine video on Twitter and writing, "if you don't conform to popular opinions. but ask questions and think for yourself….you get cancelled," followed by a cry-laughing emoji.
When the Hollywood Reporter said sources confirmed Wright was not vaccinated and may not be able to return to the U.S. as a foreign citizen without proof of vaccination, the campaign to have her pulled from the film gained traction.
Marvel fans who've lost patience with Wright demanded production on Wakanda Forever move on without her.
Recast her.
It happened with Edward Norton (The Hulk/Bruce Banner). It happened with Terrance Howard (Rhodey/War Machine). It happened with Zachary Levi (Fandral - Thor).
Howard Stark has had three different actors. Red Skull's had two.
RE👏CAST👏HER👏IF👏SHE👏WON'T👏COMPLY👏
— Marvin the Millennial Mouse (@TiredAngryMouse) November 10, 2021
Like sis there are five other actresses that could step into this role like yesterday.
She is expendable.
— Black Loki (@blerd316) November 10, 2021
Shuri is a very recastable role lol. https://t.co/bfw9QyWGOW
— Neo (@Neo_url) November 10, 2021
God, just get the vaccine or leave. You're putting everyone's lives at risk for no reason.
— Key'Shawn Watkins #BLM (@KeyWatkins51299) November 10, 2021
And you know what else, that injury that was reported as extremely minor two months ago by her castmates which didn't even require a hospital stay and now is suddenly extreme enough to have caused a shooting delay.....might not be the reason for the delay.
— T'Challa: The Black Panther facts (@Ekie0) November 10, 2021
Literally recast her. She is putting everyone at risk. This is not a big deal. You did it in Iron Man. You can do it here.
— ross alan (@rossalanmusic) November 10, 2021
It's time to let Letitia Wright go. A lot of Black actresses who would love to play the role and not halt a $200 million production because of imaginary microscopic vaccine demons. https://t.co/lxcTYzfTk3
— Richard Newby (@RICHARDLNEWBY) November 10, 2021
Some Twitter users played casting director and made suggestions for who could replace Wright.
Might I suggest @KekePalmer as a possible replacement. pic.twitter.com/zSpk0xQfPs
— What's Up Doc? 🏳️🌈 (@KDavisGayFriend) November 10, 2021
Recast her with Ajiona Alexus.
(Credits: Runaways, 13 Reasons Why)
Boom. I just did half the work. pic.twitter.com/bnUhueP9A0
— 🗣 🇺🇸 (@brigittbrien) November 11, 2021
Think Saldana would be perfect for that role pic.twitter.com/t8MNmsJbz6
— Baba Voss (@NytoTony) November 11, 2021
@SierraMcClain is an amazing actress, still dark skinned and a similar age to Leticia, I'm just sayin pic.twitter.com/fiGByDLxpw
— Tracy Ifeachor Is Vixen (@OddPercentage) November 10, 2021
The Daily Dot suggested the unlikelihood of Wright being recast, as production on Wakanda Forever started in June and is set for a November 2022 release.
However, the media outlet did mention the cast and the director may find themselves awkwardly dodging questions about Letitia's unvaccinated status during media press junkets promoting the film.
Marvel fans also expressed their disapproval as Wright's public image as an anti-vaxxer essentially contradicts the integrity of her character, Shuri—a scientific genius who is seen as a role model for young girls.
The production still faces the challenge of how to resume filming with Wright since many Hollywood productions have started imposing health and safety protocols requiring cast and crew to be vaccinated on set.
And that is if the ailing actress can back get into the country as an unvaccinated non-citizen of the United States.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram