The MCU Just Hinted How Powerful Shuri Will Be As Black Panther
Warning: This article contains spoilers for What If...? episode 6.
In Marvel's What If...?, the Marvel Cinematic Universe hinted that Shuri would become an incredibly powerful hero in future Black Panther films. What If...? episode 6 changes the events of 2008's Iron Man. In the episode, Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) saves Tony Stark (voiced by Mick Wingert) from being kidnapped by the Ten Rings. In doing so, Killmonger ingratiates himself to Stark, becoming close to the billionaire playboy and manipulating Stark Industries from the inside. Killmonger then murders Stark, James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), and T'Challa (Chadwick Boseman) on his way to building automated killer drones and stealing the title of Black Panther. However, Shuri (voiced by Ozioma Akagha) and Pepper Potts (voiced by Beth Hoyt) are onto him by the end of the episode.
Besides showing the power of Killmonger, the What If...? episode also shows the power of Wakanda. Killmonger tricks the Wakandans to fight against the Stark drones, and they do so admirably. Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett) leads the Wakandan defense, taking out drones left and right despite not having a boost from Wakanda's Heart-Shaped Herb. The Dora Milaje also put up a strong attack, using spears to destroy the enemy machinery. To prove himself to the Wakandans, Killmonger joins the battle, laying his loyalty on thick by constantly yelling, "Wakanda forever!"
The episode also subtly hints at how powerful Shuri will be as Black Panther. Throughout the episode, Killmonger fools everyone he meets. He tricks Stark, the U.S. military, and the leadership of Wakanda. However, Shuri constantly questions Killmonger throughout his time in Wakanda. She pesters her father not to trust him after his unconventional plan of letting the Stark drones into the city, and she knows something is suspicious when Killmonger secretly powers up the drones after they were cut off from their original servers. She even breaks into Pepper Potts' office at the end of What If...? episode 6 with evidence that Killmonger killed Stark and T'Challa, offering Potts the chance to team up and take the villain down.
Letitia Wright's Shuri is a candidate to take over the mantle of Black Panther in Black Panther 2, and What If...? showed exactly why. In the episode, Killmonger bests everyone from Stark to T'Challa, but Shuri always stays one step ahead. While Killmonger fools others, she sees right through his charade from the start and even gathers proof of his underhanded deeds. Shuri explains to Potts in the episode, "Mr. Stark was a genius, but he’s not the only genius." As she shows by breaking into Potts' office with evidence against Killmonger in the episode, Shuri has the brains and the skills to become a formidable Black Panther.
The character is also a perfect choice to carry on T'Challa's legacy. From Ramonda's fighting skills to her brother's heart, Shuri has had the opportunity to learn from the best, and she's proven that she can even surpass them. What If...? shows the character is more intelligent, skilled, and talented than some of the strongest characters in the MCU. With the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, the new Black Panther film will be in search of another candidate to take up the mantle of the Wakandan superhero. It remains to be seen if Shuri will take on the title of Black Panther, but What If...? shows she's worthy of carrying on T'Challa's legacy.
Marvel's What If...? releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.