Should Bucky Barnes or Everett Ross become the MCU’s White Wolf? Annlyel explores the fallout from Wakanda Forever
There are a lot of great things about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The costumes, the performances, the characters, the storyline, and the respectful tribute to Chadwick Boseman. Unlike 2018’s Black Panther, a very contained film with barely any outside MCU distractions to intervene with the story, Wakanda Forever ends Phase 4 of the MCU because it sets up several storylines moving forward. One such thread is Agent Ross’s continuing alliance with the Wakandans.
BLACK PANTHER
In the first movie, he found himself ingrained in the Wakandans’ miniature civil war when Shuri saved his life after Killmonger’s surprise attack in Seoul, South Korea. Now that he’s become a reliable ally for the Wakandans he plays a small but essential part in the sequel. Especially as he helps update them about America’s increasing urge to attack Wakanda for their vibranium. In the end, his secret alliance with the Wakandans is discovered by the shady director of the CIA, Director de Fontaine. And he is set to be imprisoned.
Instead of finding himself most likely spending the rest of his days in the Raft prison, he is rescued by Okoye, leader of the newly appointed Midnight Angels. Moving forward, it looks like he’s going to play an even more integral role alongside the Wakandans as the storyline intensifies. Because of this, it sounds like he may be involved in a version of the White Wolf storyline.
THE WHITE WOLF
In case you’re not aware of who the White Wolf is let me give you a brief history. In the comics, a white American kid named Hunter was adopted by King T’Chaka when his family died in a plane crash just north of Wakanda. He grew up as T’Challa’s adopted brother and was eventually provided the moniker, White Wolf. However, a rivalry grew between the two brothers and White Wolf would go on to be an antagonist for Black Panther moving forward.
At first, it seemed like Bucky was going to be the one to have an adaptation of this storyline. Especially when he was named White Wolf in the post-credit scene of Black Panther. He even reminds us of his Wakandan nickname in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in a comedic moment with Sam Wilson. Because of this, we know that Agent Everett Ross will never get the White Wolf mantle. But will they find a way to further incorporate portions of this storyline in the future?
WAKANDA FOREVER
Even before Wakanda Forever hit theaters there were rumors that Ryan Coogler was developing a Wakanda-centric Disney+ series. After the movie, the rumors began to narrow down to an obvious direction the Disney+ series would head. A Midnight Angels series. Considering that the Midnight Angels are a group of covert Wakandan assassins could we see Ross joining their ranks?
That would be a fascinating turn of events for a character I didn’t expect to have much of a presence after his debut in Captain America: Civil War. Now, with his roles in Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, and his upcoming role in Secret Invasion it seems that Ross is becoming further integrated into the driving narrative of this growing storyline. And I couldn’t be more thrilled.
Catch Everett Ross in action in Marvel Studios’ impressive filmography streaming exclusively on Disney Plus now.
Should Ross be rewarded with a White Wolf storyline in the MCU? Or would you rather see Bucky Barnes adopt the famous moniker? Sound off below and share your thoughts.
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Author
Hello everyone. My name is Annlyel James. I’m a young woman who loves movies of all genres (specifically ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel movies.) I am also a Senior Correspondent for The Future of the Force.
