Disney halted production on the much-awaited "Black Panther" sequel Friday, sources told The Hollywood Reporter, after already delaying its theatrical release by months.
Lead actress Letitia Wright injured herself during an action-heavy sequence in August. The production continued shooting without her as she healed. She was hospitalized at the time despite statements describing her injuries as “minor.”
Marvel Studios believed Wright’s injury would not impact its production timeline at the time, the report said.
The sequel features Wright’s character, Shuri, the younger sister of T’Challa – the Black Panther – filling his superheroic shoes after his death. Chadwick Boseman played the film’s namesake lead until he died from colon cancer in Aug. 2020.
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After her injury, Wright flew to London, where she’s reportedly remained since.
Production hopes to resume early next year, sources told THR. Director Ryan Coogler and crew have reportedly filmed every scene in the script they can without Wright’s character. However, production will break down entirely by Thanksgiving week, insiders said.
“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,” a studio representative told THR in a statement. “Letitia kindly asks that you keep her in your prayers.”
In February, Ryan Coogler’s Proximity Media also inked a five-year exclusive deal with Disney+ to develop a “Black Panther” series for the streaming network.
In October, Disney slid the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” release from summer 2022 to Nov. 11.
The 2018 original Marvel feature film won three Academy Awards after grossing $1.34 billion at the box office.
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