Thread by @ebonstorm

I am the Answer-Man and I must voice my displeasure with Disney's decision to NOT recast the Black Panther after Chadwick Boseman's untimely death.

The explanation was: 'No one could replace Chadwick in the role.'

And no one will. Instead, let a new actor step into the role.

As someone who has spent the bulk of his life enjoying different interpretations of my favorite heroes in the hands of different writers and different actors over decades, I don't see this as ANY different than any other recasting.

How many versions of #Batman do you know?

Why can the legendary heroes of #Batman and #Superman be recast again and again, both in face and in voice, and no one says: "This depiction of the character buries him for anyone else to consider playing. We just don't see any future for this iconic character."

Doesn't happen.

Explain to me why Chadwick Boseman who was an extraordinary talent, to be sure, somehow invalidates the ICONIC Black Panther from having any continuity for the children who came to love his appearance in Captain America and later in #BlackPanther?

Don't those fans matter?

Please don't tell me this is about elevating #Shuri to the role of the Black Panther.

Yes, she becomes the Black Panther at some point in the future, but to be honest, I/WE haven't seen enough of the character to warrant gender-swapping him just yet. Let a brother grow first.

Is Boseman's death a tragedy? Absolutely. You honor that effort, that commitment he made to the role by ensuring the #BlackPanther as he envisioned him, to inspire young Black men around the world in desperate need for positive, intelligent and beautiful role models.

And before Team Shuri shows up, understand, Shuri doesn't NEED to be the #BlackPanther.

She's already a role model as a Black scientist and visionary. Her capacity to inspire has already been cemented in her role as one of the smartest people on Marvel Earth. (Sorry, Tony.)

Can Disney hear me? Unlikely. A fact made worse by a disdain for their audience who likely has no advocate in their boardrooms.

Chadwick Boseman's Black Panther meant the world to me. Boseman was the beating heart of Wakanda. Honor the man's life's work.

#RecastBlackPanther

Give us the chance to grieve before you decide to turn him into an irreplaceable icon. His legend had just begun...

There will always be time for Shuri to don the mantle of the #BlackPanther. The life of a champion is often filled with unforeseen perils...

#RecastBlackPanther

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