The resurrection of Killmonger in the MCU
Fans would love to see Erik Killmonger back in the MCU and they have their theories on that. Erik Killmonger played by Michael B. Jordan was last seen in the MCU in Black Panther. He was the son of Prince N’Jobu, brother of King T’Chaka. Erik had a difficult childhood, especially after the death of his father. Later, he trained to become a Black Ops US Navy Seal. Although he was supposed to be a villain, the film gave his character immense depth, complexity, and a great character arc.
At the end of Black Panther, Killmonger was stabbed by T’Challa. The two then sat together and watched the sunset. T’Challa even offered to heal him using Wakandan technology. However, Killmonger refused and said a very hard-hitting line. “Just bury me in the ocean with my ancestors who jumped ships because they knew death was better than slavery.” This brings us to the various fan theories surrounding Erik Killmonger and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
1. Namor resurrects Killmonger
This theory stems from Killmonger’s last words. He wanted to be buried in the ocean. Namor the submariner is the villain or rather the antihero of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He is the first mutant and belongs to the underwater kingdom Atlantis. The theory suggests that Namor will find Killmonger’s body in the ocean and somehow resurrect him. The High Priest of Atlantis might even help the cause by using a ritual. Namor could use Killmonger to break through Wakanda and help them fight their war.
2. Wakanda or Shuri resurrects him
In the Black Panther comics, Killmonger used a Resurrection Altar that exists in Wakanda to restore dead soldiers. It was also used to bring Killmonger back. The Wakandans could resurrect Killmonger to aid them in the coming war with the Atlanteans.
Shuri could resurrect him so he could be Black Panther. The previously mentioned high seas expedition may very well consist of finding the body of his cousin. We know from Multiverse of Madness that you need a physical body to bring a spirit back to life. This theory becomes stronger due to the line pronounced by Queen Ramonda in the trailer claiming that his whole family is gone. This may indicate that Shuri went to the Ancestral Realm to retrieve Killmonger’s soul.
Fans also noticed the Black Panther costume in the new trailer. It has the gold trim similar to Killmonger’s costume. Although Shuri will most likely take on the role of Black Panther, fans are still hoping Killmonger will show up.
3. Powers of the Multiverse
Given MCU’s exposure to the multiverse through Spiderman 3, Loki, Multiverse of Madness, and Quantumania, nothing is impossible. Even though he’s not in Black Panther 2, Killmonger can be brought back later introducing different versions of Wakanda, where Killmonger sits on the throne.
4. Ancestral Kingdom Tour
Whoever, most likely Shuri, consumes the heart-shaped weed might have a conversation with Killmonger. We saw Erik and T’Challa travel to the Ancestral Plane and talk to their fathers. It may not resurrect Erik, but at least it will bring him back to our screens.
5. He was always alive
Black Panther showed us the powers of heart-shaped weed. In the first movie, T’Challa was assumed dead after falling off the cliff. But he had survived thanks to the great healing ability and strength that the herb provides. The same, though unlikely, is possible for Killmonger. He could have simply been cured by the Atlanteans.
