Although fans may be right in assuming that there have only been two Black Panthers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright’s Shuri),they are wrong.
There have been many Black Panthers in the MCU, and there has been a constant cycle of passing on the coveted mantle from one generation to the next (sometimes by force).
Be it from goodwill or a developmental arc of the character, here’s every version of Black Panther in the MCU, ranked from worst to best.
8. Azari – Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow
Azari (far left) in Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow | Credits: Marvel Studios
The son of T’Challa, Azari, takes the mantle from his father in the animated film Next Avengers: Heroes of Tomorrow. While the story was quite compelling, T’Challa himself is only briefly seen as a deceased parent.
The story revolves around the Next Avengers being raised/trained by Tony Stark’s Iron Man, and the story spends very little time on Azari as Black Panther.
This version of Black Panther ranks the lowest because the story doesn’t necessarily focus on him or his character. He is not even Black Panther yet, as that title comes in the future.
Key Facts About:Next Avengers: Heroes of TomorrowDirected By:Jay Oliva, Gary HartleCast:Noah Crawford, Fred Tatasciore, Tom KaneRelease Date:September 2, 2008IMDb Rating:6.2/10Rotten Tomatoes Score:54%Worldwide Box Office:N/AProduction House:Marvel StudiosWhere to Watch:Amazon
7. T’Challa – Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers
A still from Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers | Credits: Masahiro Sugasawa (TV Tokyo)
An anime series developed by Japanese artists, Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, ran for a total of 51 episodes before concluding back in 2015. The anime featured several iconic Marvel characters; however, Black Panther didn’t really have the best time.
Trapped in small devices called DISKs, Black Panther is just a recurring character who is often used in battle by a young ally. The premise of the show largely focuses on heroes spending time inside the DISKs, which limits their screentime and complex character development.
In Marvel Disk Wars: The Avengers, Black Panther functions more as a powerful asset than a fully fleshed-out individual, making his character less impactful than others.
6. T’Challa – Iron Man: Armored Adventures
A still from Iron Man: Armored Adventures | Credits: Marvel Animation
A younger T’Challa, who is the Prince of Wakanda, this version of Black Panther is presented as a teen hero learning the ropes. Being hesitant to accept his destiny and struggling with his kingly duties, T’Challa had a lot of potential for character development.
He appears in team-up episodes while mainly serving as a counterpoint to the more technologically-focused Iron Man, grounding the young Tony Stark in tradition and international responsibility.
It’s a solid, well-animated portrayal; however, the animated series doesn’t fully expand on the potential that the character of Black Panther has.
5. Erik Killmonger – Black Panther
Michael B. Jordan as Erik Killmonger in Black Panther | Credits: Marvel Studios
A brief but powerful ruler of Wakanda, Erik Killmonger is the cousin of T’Challa, who usurped the throne after defeating T’Challa in hand-to-hand combat.
Michael B. Jordan’s Erik Killmonger challenged the core ideology of what Wakanda was supposed to be. While his time as the Black Panther was short, his impact on T’Challa and Wakanda was monumental, making him a critical part of Wakandan history.
The only bad thing about Erik Killmonger was that his time in the suit was brief, and his character arc was designed to be a compelling villain rather than a traditional hero.
4. T’Challa – Ultimate Avengers II
A still from Ultimate Avengers II | Credits: Marvel Studios
Released in 2006, Ultimate Avengers II features T’Challa and a brief flashback appearance of T’Chaka. The direct-to-video film was one of the earliest high-profile animated features to star black Panther.
The film was successful in establishing the isolationist nature of Wakanda and T’Challa’s struggle to reconcile his duty to his kingdom with his duty to the world (being part of the Avengers).
The film features a strong T’Challa with plenty of actionable presence who defends Wakanda from the Chitauri. The only flaw in his character was less nuanced.
3. T’Challa – Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes
A still from Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes | Credits: Marvel Animation
Widely regarded by fans as an excellent interpretation of the character of T’Challa, the King of Wakanda is also a scientist, alongside being an Avenger.
Immediately establishing himself as a brilliant strategist, who is often quiet but incredibly insightful, Black Panther has a certain “Batman-like” quality in Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, akin to the Marvel Comics.
His episodes explore complex themes like Wakanda’s politics and his identity crisis involving his royal life while being on Avengers duty. His commitment to the Avengers is showcased as genuine, with his character being reliable, fully realized, and a dignified leader within the team.
Suffice it to say that T’Challa from Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is the third-best version of Black Panther in the MCU.
2. Shuri – Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Letitia Wright as Shuri in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever | Credits: Marvel Studios
Taking on the mantle of the Black Panther following Chadwick Boseman’s passing away, Letitia Wright portrayed the role of the new Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Being a sister to T’Challa, Shuri’s ascension is a heavy, emotional journey that takes place in the sequel. The story is a deep dive into grief, anger, and the temptation of vengeance. Her suit is highly technological, fitting her genius, and her fighting style is driven by a deep, protective instinct for everything that she cares about.
Wright’s performance was compelling, phenomenal, and proved that the mantle can be carried by intellect, heartache, as well as the burden of legacy. This version of Black Panther is critical for showing the future and addressing the emotional toll that often goes unnoticed for a heroic character.
Therefore, Shuri is the second-best Black Panther within the folds of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
1. Chadwick Boseman – Black Panther
T’Challa, who becomes King following the death of his father T’Chaka in Captain America: Civil War, is notably portrayed by Chadwick Boseman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
This is the definitive, globally recognized Black Panther with Chadwick Boseman infusing the role with a unique blend of quiet strength, nobility, and profound empathy.
His arc is the most complete, with it beginning with a personal quest for vengeance in Civil War, transitioning into a powerful meditation on duty and legacy in Black Panther, and concluding with his pivotal role in Infinity War and Endgame.
Even the What If…? variants like Star-Lord T’Challa showcase the core integrity and wisdom of the character. This just goes on to showcase his place as the gold standard for the Black Panther mantle.
Nobody could have played the role better than Chadwick Boseman, who the world loved to see in the role of Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Naturally, Boseman’s version as Black Panther remains the best Black Panther version in the entirety of the MCU.
Key Facts About:Black PantherDirected By:Ryan CooglerCast:Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Danai GuriraRelease Date:February 16, 2018IMDb Rating:7.3/10Rotten Tomatoes Score:96%Worldwide Box Office:$1.3 billionProduction House:Marvel StudiosWhere to Watch:Disney+
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