Marvel Reveals Two New Latina Actors in Upcoming ‘Black Panther’ Sequel

Marvel’s Black Panther is back and we’re celebrating the Latinx representation after the reveal of the teaser trailer for the sequel, Wakanda Forever this week. Actor Chadwick Boseman, who played the title role in the original Black Panther film, passed away in 2020 leaving fans with many questions about the future of the franchise. But after Marvel released the first teaser trailer for the highly anticipated sequel, superhero fans could not be more excited.  Four Latinx actors have been added to the film’s star-studded line-up including Guatemalan actress María Mercedes Coroy,of Mayan Kaqchikel descent, (Ixcanul, La Llorona), and Mexican actress Mabel Cadena (Señorita 89, Monarca). They will join fellow actress Lupita N’yong’o, who is of Kenyan descent and was born in Mexico, reprising her role as Nakia, T’Challa’s (Black Panther) love interest. Additionally, Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta portrays the classic Marvel character Namor the Sub-Mariner.

Coroy took to Instagram to share the new Black Panther trailer and the news about her role, saying, “Because I’m full of thanks and thousands of emotions at the same time. Because I know it wasn’t easy. Because it has been a journey of patience, discipline, dedication and long days. Because the news that fills our hearts deeply and floods our eyes is shared with gratitude. Thank you!”

“Mom ¡I’M A SUPERHERO!” Cadena said in her Instagram post announcing her role in the film.

Little is known about the plot of the film itself other than its brief synopsis, “The leaders of the kingdom of Wakanda fight to protect their nation from invading forces in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.” Coroy and Cadena only appear in brief flashes in the trailer, leaving fans also wondering about the size and importance of their roles in this new film. However, Coroy did confirm that she portrays Princess Fen, who gives birth to Prince Namor the Sub-Mariner in a stunning underwater scene in the trailer.

“I had a sea of emotions when I saw myself, felt my heart pounding with emotion and knew I was where I never imagined I would get,” Coroy told Spam Chronicles. “The road has been long and arduous, but to see the result of a great effort fills me with joy.”

Similarly, Cadena, who is confirmed to portray Namora, the cousin of Prince Namor, said to Cultura Colectiva, “I see this opportunity as a hope, although we know that things are difficult because there are few opportunities, and some actors and actresses have it more complicated than others, in the end, we are managing to get in. I have a lot of hope, there is still a lot of work ahead, but colleagues like Tenoch Huerta or Yalitza Aparicio have worked to open doors for us.”

Adding Coroy and Cadena to the Marvel Universe is a huge step forward for the Latinx community, who rarely see themselves as superheroes on the silver screen, especially Afro-Latinxs and Indigenous actors. Marvel has included Latinx actors playing Latinx/Indigenous characters in other MCU projects over the years including Miles Morales (Shameik Moore), America Chavez (Xochitl Gomez), Ajak (Salma Hayek), and El Muerto (Bad Bunny). Hopefully, this means that a film with an entirely Latinx cast isn’t too far from reality, thanks to the doors that Black Panther is opening up for other communities of color.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be released in theaters on November 11, 2022.