Black Panther 2: Rege-Jean Page suits up as Black Panther in stunning image

Fans seem eager to see Rege-Jean Page join the Marvel Cinematic Universe with the Bridgerton star emerging as a favorite to take up the Black Panther mantle. 

There are a lot of uncertainties about the future of the Black Panther franchise following the passing of Chadwick Boseman in August 2020.

After taking several months to process the unmeasurable loss, Marvel mastermind Kevin Feige confirmed that while Marvel would be proceeding with Black Panther 2 they would not be recasting the role of T’Challa/Black Panther. In speaking with Deadline, after Feige confirmed the role would not be recast he subtly hinted that director Ryan Coogler was instead looking at furthering the Black Panther and Wakanda mythology.

Marvel has yet to reveal exactly how they will address Boseman’s passing within the film or just who might be tapped to take up the mantle as the new Black Panther. While many fans have speculated as to whether Marvel might look to pass the mantle on to Letitia Wright’s Shuri or Winston Duke’s M’Baku, a new rumor suggests Marvel might instead look to introduce an entirely new character to take up the mantle of Black Panther — and it seems Bridgerton‘s breakout heartthrob is an early favorite for the role.

According to Crazy Days and Nights, an entertainment site run by a Hollywood lawyer who is said to have a history of reliable inside scoops on casting moves, Rege-Jean Page is said to have emerged as a frontrunner to take up the Black Panther mantle in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It’s not hard to see why Page has emerged as a frontrunner after checking out one artist’s incredible fanart!

What Rege-Jean Page could look like as Black Panther in Black Panther 2

While Marvel has not addressed the rumor of Page’s casting nor have they announced any Black Panther: Wakanda Forever casting announcements, Bridgerton fan page Bridgerton Appreciation Society has given us the chance to see what Rege-Jean Page could look like if given the chance to suit up as Black Panther in a jaw-dropping new image which has left us speechless.

In the stunning new fanart, Page trades in his Regency-era threads and transforms into Black Panther in suiting up in the character’s iconic Vibranium suit. Although it’s difficult seeing anyone else rocking Boseman’s Black Panther suit there is no denying that Page looks phenomenal as the character and we could absolutely see why so many fans have begun vocally supporting the casting rumor.

As Bridgerton proved, Page has a commanding on-screen presence with an incredible range. Just look at the depth of character Page brought to the role of the Duke of Hastings who was such a layered and complicated character. These are just a few qualities Marvel tends to look for in its actors and if given the chance we know Page would crush it in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Will Rege-Jean Page play Black Panther in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?

When it comes to Marvel, the studio has always been good at keeping the details surrounding its upcoming projects under wraps and can be stingy at times when it comes to revealing cast additions and plot information. Because of this, there is little that has been confirmed about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever including whether Rege-Jean Page will be joining the cast of the film.

Given production on the film is set to begin in July, one has to imagine that if Page will be joining the cast in any form we should receive word sooner rather than later as we don’t imagine his presence on set would go unnoticed. While Marvel has a solid track record of preventing guest cameos and debuts from leaking, should Page join the cast of the project in such a key role one has to imagine word would leak out the minute he’d step foot on set.

Ultimately, it’s important to keep in mind that as of now all we have to go off of is a rumor from an insider and rumors such as these often end up being disproved or turn out to be only partly true. As such, we’ll have to wait until Marvel makes an official announcement or Page himself chooses to address the rumor before knowing with certainty whether he’ll be joining the MCU.

No matter whether Marvel looks to indeed bring him into the fold with a role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever or looks to find a role in another project, one thing that’s certain is Rege-Jean Page is a star on the rise who Marvel needs to lock down asap!

Would you like to see Rege-Jean Page take up the Black Panther mantle in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let us know in the comments below!