Daniel Kaluuya not returning for ‘Black Panther’ sequel
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
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Daniel Kaluuya is not returning for ‘Black Panther’ sequel Daniel Kaluuya was asked to reprise his role but said he had already committed to star in the horror film, “Nope." (NCD)
ByBob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Daniel Kaluuya will not be appearing in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” according to Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.
The British actor, 33, played W’Kabi in the 2018 Marvel and Disney blockbuster, “Black Panther.” He was the best friend and confidant of T’Challa, played by the late Chadwick Boseman, and head of security for the Border Tribe, Variety reported.
Jacqueline Coley of Rotten Tomatoes was the first to tweet the news on Wednesday.
BREAKING NEWS: Fresh from my NOPE interview with Daniel Kaluuya he did not reprise his role in #BlackPanther2 due to his schedule conflicts w/ #NOPE!
According to Variety, Kaluuya was asked to reprise his role but said he had already committed to star in Jordan Peele’s horror film, “Nope,” which opens on July 22.
Kaluuya received an Academy Award nomination for best actor in Peele’s 2017 film, “Get Out.”
Original film stars Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett had already been confirmed for the sequel, but Kaluuya’s status had been unclear until Wednesday, Variety reported.
The film was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, with several stars testing positive, according to The Hollywood Reporter. In August 2021, Wright was injured while performing a sequence involving a stunt rig, the entertainment news outlet reported.
Production was halted in November 2021 while Wright continued to recover.
Filming resumed in January, and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is scheduled to open in theaters on Nov. 11, 2022, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years Here are some memorable photos of actor Daniel Kaluuya through the years. (Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2009: Actor Daniel Kaluuya attends the Breakthrough Brit Week roundtable discussion with Mark Wolfe and LeVar Burton at the London Hotel on November 3, 2009, in West Hollywood, California. (Frazer Harrison/Getty Images for the UK Film Council)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2011: Daniel Kaluuya attend the UK premiere of "Johnny English Reborn" at Empire Leicester Square on October 2, 2011, in London. (Stuart Wilson/Getty Images)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2015: Actor Daniel Kaluuya attends the "Sicario" New York Premiere at the Museum of Modern Art on September 14, 2015, in New York City. (Andrew Toth/Getty Images)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2017: Actors Allison Williams and Daniel Kaluuya attend the 2017 IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards co-sponsored by FIJI Water at Cipriani Wall Street on November 27, 2017, in New York City. (Craig Barritt/Getty Images for FIJI Water)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2018: Chadwick Boseman (left) and Daniel Kaluuya pose during the 49th NAACP Image Awards at Pasadena Civic Auditorium on January 15, 2018, in Pasadena, California. (Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for NAACP)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2018: Daniel Kaluuya attends the 90th annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland Center on March 4, 2018, in Hollywood, California. (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2019: Daniel Kaluuya and Emilia Clarke attend the Hollywood Foreign Press Association and The Hollywood Reporter Celebration of the 2020 Golden Globe Awards Season and Unveiling of the Golden Globe Ambassadors at Catch on November 14, 2019, in West Hollywood, California. (Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2020: Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith attend the "Queen & Slim" UK Premiere at Rich Mix Cinema on January 28, 2020, in London. (Lia Toby/Getty Images)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2021: Daniel Kaluuya, winner of actor in a supporting role for "Judas and the Black Messiah," poses in the press room during the 93rd annual Academy Awards at Union Station on April 25, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Chris Pizzello-Pool/Getty Images)
Photos: Daniel Kaluuya through the years 2022: Ariana DeBose (center), winner of the actress in a supporting role award for "West Side Story," with presenters Daniel Kaluuya (left) and H.E.R., pose in the press room at the 94th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood and Highland on March 27, 2022, in Hollywood, California. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
