See The Redesign of Winston Duke’s M’Baku For Black Panther 2
The first look at M'Baku in Black Panther 2 has been revealed.
This article is more than 2 years old
There are a lot of returning characters in the upcoming MCU film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. One of the characters fans are excited to see again is actor Winston Duke’s M’Baku. A new redesign costume of Duke’s M’Baku in Black Panther 2 has appeared in public.
At this year’s D23 Expo, the new costume for Duke’s M’Baku in Black Panther 2 was on full display for fans in attendance. The new costume features an upgraded breastplate with a gorilla-like design and spikes covering the forearms. Twitter user @MaximilanMarvel pointed out that the design could have some connection to the baboon god that was featured in Thor: Love & Thunder.
The redesign for Duke’s M’Baku for Black Panther 2 also keeps with the African influences present in the first film. New flourishes, such as the upgraded belt and monkey’s paw-inspired staff, add to the overall presentation. Fans can definitely feel the weight and power of the character.
Duke’s M’Baku apparently will take quite an interesting journey in Black Panther 2. While speaking with Marvel Entertainment at the D23 Expo, Duke teased that M’Baku is “no longer the insular leader” in the upcoming sequel. He also stated that his character is “learning to move forward.”
The trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever shows Wakanda in mourning after the loss of their king, T’Challa, whom actor Chadwick Boseman played. There have been many debates online on whether Marvel should’ve recast the character after the tragic passing of Boseman. Regarding Duke’s M’Baku and his role in Black Panther 2, it’ll be interesting to see how the loss of T’Challa has affected the character.
As noted by The Direct, the new suit for M’Baku in Black Panther 2 goes give the character a bit of an advantage in the war against Namor the Sub-Mariner and his army. Namor, whom Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta plays, was teased in the trailer that premiered during San Diego Comic-Con in July. The trailer teased an impending battle between Wakanda and Atlantis.
With his experience in hand-to-hand fighting, it’ll be interesting to see how M’Baku handles himself in a fight with Namor if it happens in Black Panther 2. The Wakandan warrior has a lot to prove after his defeat to T’Challa in the previous film. Perhaps a victory over Namor and his army would give him the confidence to become more of a leader to his people and to that of Wakanda.
Duke’s comments regarding M’Baku “no longer the insular leader” imply that he’ll work with other tribes in Black Panther 2. A threat such as that of Namor and the Atlanteans would be enough for all of Wakanda to band together as one, especially after the loss of a respected king. M’Baku and the Jabari Tribe did reinforce T’Challa in his battle against Killmonger and his forces in the first film, so there is a precedent of M’Baku working with others to defeat a great evil.
Regardless, M’Baku will surely be someone fans will have a lot to say once the end credits of Black Panther 2 start rolling. The film is set to release in the United States on November 11th.
