It’s no secret that we love Wakanda. It’s a rich tapestry of people, history and stories. Following the emotional events of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” we weren’t sure when we’d see the characters on screen again. They’re too popular, and frankly, too powerful not to be involved in the Multiverse Saga, so we assumed they’ll be back at some point.
It turns out fans won’t have to wait that long to return to Wakanda: On Monday, Marvel Animation announced a 2024 series set in the country.
“Eyes of Wakanda” will focus on great warriors from the past who “have been tasked to travel the world retrieving dangerous vibranium artifacts.” Those are the only details available right now, but it sounds similar to the Disney+ animated “Star Wars” series, “Tales of the Jedi.” That show follows notable Jedi Knights and Masters through the events of the prequel trilogy, offering new points of view on the rise of the Empire.
Since the new series’ synopsis says it will specifically focus on warriors from Wakanda’s history, we could be introduced to new characters or younger versions of fan favorites. With no solid information to go on, it’s time for a little fan speculation: here are five things we want to see in “Eyes of Wakanda.”
Ramonda and T’Chaka
We haven’t spent nearly enough time with T’Challa and Shuri’s parents. I’d like to see their love story. Was it love at first sight? Was it an arranged marriage that turned into love? Maybe they went on a mission together and that’s how they fell in love...? Plus, after visiting an alternate Wakanda where Ramonda was a general in “What If…?” Season 1, how did we never get that version of her in live-action? If this story is about past warriors, let’s see T’Chaka’s Black Panther in his prime. They could have a whole series on their own.
Wakanda Throughout History
In 2010, BET had a short-lived “Black Panther” animated series. One of the most memorable scenes from the show came in the first episode: As U.S. government officials are being briefed on Wakanda and how it’s never been conquered, we flashback to a WWII-era meeting between the Black Panther and Captain America. Spoiler Alert: Cap gets his ass whooped.
In the Marvel Cinematic Universe, a lot was made of how isolated Wakanda was over the years. However, you can’t tell me that the country didn’t secretly dispatch War Dogs to get involved in WWII or other major conflicts over the years. WWII spy stories are a popular choice for Hollywood. It would be very interesting to see those themes combined with the sci-fi/fantasy elements of Wakanda.
Okoye’s Rise
We know Okoye as the legendary general of Wakanda, but how did she build that legend? An arc exploring the pivotal moments — both good and bad — that led Okoye to become the leader we know would definitely be fascinating. Perhaps we also get a glimpse at her private relationship with W’Kabi and if there were signs of his ultimate betrayal.
Cold War Wakanda
Through countless movies and television shows, Hollywood has told us that nothing was off limits during the Cold War. It makes sense that the U.S. and Soviet Union would be in a race to gain access to vibranium. There’s also a fascinating story to be told about how Wakanda factored into the space race. As private as Wakanda was, I can’t see a world in which it didn’t get secretly involved in these issues.
Black Panther Period Piece
How far back in history is this series going to go? Will we see Wakandan War Dogs in ancient Rome? Could we see them trying to retrieve an artifact from Leonardo da Vinci? Maybe we’ll get a story set in Victorian England? If the series leans into the historical aspect of the plot, we could get a fresh Wakanda twist on classic historical settings.
“Eyes of Wakanda” premieres on Disney+ in 2024.