“Nope” Actor Daniel Kaluuya is not returning for Black Panther 2

IMAGE – Marvel

Daniel Kaluuya is officially not returning to the MCU for the second installment of the Black Panther franchise.

Disney wrapped production on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in March with plans to premiere the film later this November. Variety has now reported that Kaluuya will not be returning to Black Panther 2 due to his previous commitment to Jordan Peele‘s upcoming horror, Nope.

After the death of titular actor Chadwick Boseman, Marvel decided against recasting his role of T’Challa, and instead honored his legacy.

Those confirmed from the original film to rejoin the cast include Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke and Angela Bassett.

Nope is slated to release on July 22 and sees Kaluuya alongside Keke Palmer and Steven Yuen as they follow residents into an isolated town after a series of events that involve extraterrestrial life.