Disney
- Production on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently paused while Letitia Wright recovers from an injury.
- Wright is reportedly unvaccinated, which could cause further headaches for the production.
- On Nov. 8, the CDC implemented rules that require all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the U.S. be fully vaccinated.
In the year or so since it was confirmed that Marvel Studios’ Black Panther franchise would continue despite the tragic death of Chadwick Boseman, it’s become increasingly clear that Letitia Wright’s Shuri would be the character to take on the mantle of Black Panther in the sequel. However, due to the United States’ new mandate that requires foreign nationals to be vaccinated to enter the country, the project could be in a bit of a pickle as Wright is unvaccinated, according to sources.
Wright, who deleted her Twitter account in December following backlash to her promotion of anti-vax conspiracies — “The name lucifer is an interesting choice,” Wright tweeted at one point — is currently in London recovering from injuries she sustained on the set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. However, if and when filming resumes in Atlanta, Wright will not be able to enter the United States due to vaccine mandates.
Disney’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever star Letitia Wright — who portrays the lead Shuri, the sister of Black Panther T’Challa (the late Chadwick Boseman) — is not vaccinated, sources say. After sustaining an on-set injury in August, the Guyanese-born British actress went home to London.
Now, a return to the U.S. for a possible shoot in Atlanta, where Wakanda Forever is based, could be an issue. On Nov. 8, the CDC implemented rules that require all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the U.S. be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status before boarding a plane. Wright is not a U.S. citizen. Disney declined to comment. [via The Hollywood Reporter]
In response to the report from The Hollywood Reporter, Wright’s reps provided the following statement:
“Letitia has been recovering in London since September from injuries sustained on the set of Black Panther 2 and is looking forward to returning to work early 2022. Letitia kindly asks that you keep her in your prayers.”
At this time, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever — which also stars Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Michaela Coel, Dominique Thorne, Martin Freeman, and more — is currently scheduled to hit theaters on November 11, 2022, almost exactly one year from today.
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