Black Panther: Wakanda Forever almost included a WWE star, who has recently spoken out about being excluded from the MCU project two years later. Released in 2022, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever quickly emerged as one of the Multiverse Saga’s standout achievements, garnering $854 million in global box office revenue. The film marked the introduction of Tenoch Huerta’s Namor into the MCU timeline, establishing him as one of its first official mutants, before concluding with his defeat at the hands of the new Black Panther, Shuri. This expanded both the history of Wakanda within the MCU and the franchise’s overall scope.
WWE star Damien Priest was on the verge of joining the MCU as a new character but recently revealed in an interview with Chris Van Vliet (via YouTube) that the role was “taken away” from him. Priest clarified that Marvel was not behind this decision but did not specify who was responsible. He quickly added that he is “good with it,” noting that participating in the MCU might have hindered his path to becoming the WrestleMania World Heavyweight Champion. You can watch the interview below.
How Damian Priest Might Appear in Future MCU Releases
#### He Could Return as a Variant
Having now secured his heavyweight title, the 41-year-old Damian Priest might be inclined to revisit his chance to join the MCU. The Puerto Rican wrestler did not reveal which role he had been considered for, although it was likely a smaller part given his limited film acting experience. Since he never actually appeared in the film, Priest could make a comeback in various roles in future MCU productions—especially as a character with a commanding presence.
Additionally, the multiverse provides numerous possibilities for Priest to assume the role he was originally intended for. A variant of that character could have a different appearance from the one that might have already been introduced in the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A similar concept was explored in Deadpool & Wolverine, where several villains from Fox’s X-Men universe, such as Juggernaut, were portrayed by different actors. In a similar fashion, Priest could potentially portray a variant of a more established character in a film like Avengers: Secret Wars.
Alternatively, he might return in Black Panther 3, either as the character he initially didn’t get to play or an entirely new character. The filmmakers were evidently interested in having him involved, even though it didn’t work out for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Regardless of the role, Priest would be the latest in a series of WWE stars to transition into the superhero genre, following in the footsteps of Dave Bautista and Seth Rollins by bringing his talents to comic book adaptations.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Upcoming MCU Movies
Captain America: Brave New World
Thunderbolts*
The Fantastic Four (2025)
Blade (2025)
Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Secret Wars
Source: Chris Van Vliet/YouTube
