All 7 MCU Black Panthers In Wakanda"s History

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Several MCU characters have assumed the mantle of Black Panther over the course of Wakanda's history. At the end of October 2014, Chadwick Boseman was announced to be debuting in the MCU as T'Challa, a.k.a. the Black Panther, introducing the character into Captain America: Civil War, which saw the character side with Team Iron Man while he thought that Bucky Barnes had caused the death of his father, the Wakandan King T'Chaka. Boseman brought the protector of Wakanda to life for the first time in live-action, adapted from the Marvel Comics superhero who debuted in 1966's Fantastic Four #52, and his mythology was developed further in 2018's Black Panther.
Under Ryan Coogler's watchful eye, the Black Panther has become one of the most profitable franchises in Marvel Studios' arsenal. The history of Wakanda was revealed during an animated sequence in Black Panther, exploring the MCU's first Black Panther and the founding of Wakanda. Following the tragic 2020 passing of Boseman, the Black Panther mantle passed to Letitia Wright's Princess Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but several other characters have also assumed the mantle of the Black Panther in the history of Wakanda. Here's a breakdown of all the known Black Panthers in the MCU, though there have been several more that haven't been mentioned.
Bashenga Was The First Black Panther

The opening montage of Black Panther explored the history of the MCU's Wakanda in a sequence designed by visual effect studio Perception and finalized by Storm VFX. The sequence details the crashing of a vibranium meteor into the Earth, and its discovery by a selection of African tribes. Initially, these tribes warred over the vibranium, but they were brought together by Bashenga, a warrior who consumed the heart-shaped herb to become the first Black Panther and the King of Wakanda. He hasn't seen much development in the MCU, although there have been calls for a Marvel Studios Disney+ series exploring Bashenga's origins.
King T’Chaka Was T’Challa & Shuri’s Father

While T'Challa was the first Black Panther introduced into the MCU, his father, King T'Chaka, was revealed to have carried the mantle before him. T'Chaka was the oldest son of the former Black Panther and King of Wakanda, Azzuri, with N'Jobu being the younger brother. While T'Chaka became Black Panther and King following their father's death, N'Jobu would join the War Dogs and eventually help Ulysses Klaue to steal Wakandan vibranium, an action that would eventually lead to the latter's death at the hands of T'Chaka. In 2009, T'Chaka relinquished the Black Panther mantle to his son, though remained as King until his death during Captain America: Civil War.
T’Challa Was The First Black Panther In The MCU

Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa is the character most synonymous with the Black Panther mantle, as the first Black Panther introduced into the MCU in 2016. T'Challa's active mind and dislike of politics made him a Black Panther more dedicated to the protector role, and initially reluctant to become yet another cowardly King of Wakanda. The events of Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War cemented him as a steadfast leader of his people, however, who proved that he would give everything to protect his people, while also harboring the ambition to help others not so fortunate as themselves. T'Challa's legacy will live on in the MCU, even though he's now gone.
N’Jadaka, A.K.A. Erik “Killmonger” Stevens Claimed The Black Panther Mantle

As the secret son of the Wakandan Prince N'Jobu, N'Jadaka was abandoned in the United States after his father's death. He would assume the name of Erik Stevens, and earn the nickname of Killmonger after serving in a Navy SEAL black-ops unit. With the ambition to dethrone his cousin, T'Challa, as both Black Panther and King of Wakanda, Killmonger would use Ulysses Klaue to gain access into Wakanda and challenge for the throne. After apparently killing T'Challa, Killmonger became the new Black Panther, but was defeated when T'Challa returned. Despite his methods being wrong, Killmonger left a mark on both T'Challa and Shuri, opening their eyes to the world's suffering.
Shuri Is The MCU’s Newest Black Panther

Following the passing of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, Ryan Coogler's original plan for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was changed significantly, shifting the focus from T'Challa's experience after Avengers: Endgame's Blip onto Shuri and Wakanda's grief over losing their King (to and undisclosed illness). Even though Killmonger had burned the remaining heart-shaped herbs in Black Panther, Shuri's genius was able to design and create a synthetic heart-shaped herb that allowed her to assume the mantle of Black Panther. Her abilities helped her succeed in battle against Namor, carrying on her brother's legacy of showing mercy, rather than following Killmonger's advice to seek revenge.
What If…? Debuted A Few Black Panther Variants

Marvel Studios' What If...? on Disney+ explored a variety of alternate realities, and debuted three different versions of the Black Panther. This included a variant of T'Challa in a universe infested by zombies infected with a Quantum Realm virus, and a variant of both T'Challa and Killmonger in episode 6, "What If... Killmonger Rescued Tony Stark?" In this reality, Killmonger kills T'Challa, assumes the role of Black Panther, and gears up Wakanda's forces to battle the United States. This version of Killmonger also becomes a Guardian of the Multiverse and attempts to wield the Infinity Stones, though becomes trapped in a pocket universe by the Watcher and Doctor Strange Supreme.
Toussaint, A.K.A. Prince T’Challa Could Be The MCU’s Future Black Panther

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's post-credits scene shocked audiences by introducing Toussaint, a.k.a. Prince T'Challa, to the MCU, the son of T'Challa and Nakia, who had been raised in Haiti away from the pressures of the Wakandan throne. Although Toussaint hasn't assumed the mantle of Black Panther yet, it can be assumed that his future MCU appearances will develop him into Shuri's successor as the Black Panther. This could potentially see the young hero team-up with the MCU's Young Avengers, continuing his father's legacy in the most poetic and moving way possible, even if it might take a few years for the character to be developed and grow up enough.
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