Could Damian Priest have joined the Marvel universe? The WWE superstar reveals that he was forced to let go of a role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
There’s been no shortage of wrestlers who have turned to acting following their time in the WWE. The process has given Marvel and DC some amazing names, from John Cena to Dave Bautista. It seems Damian Priest was also set to join that list with a role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. However, in a recent talk with Chris Van Vilet, Priest revealed he was forced to back out of the project.
“It’s a long story, but basically…it got taken away from me. Not by Marvel,” Priest explained. “Yeah, [I was cast].”
Marvel fans might be scratching their heads as to who could have taken away Damian Priest’s role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever if not for the studio creating it. The truth is, former WWE CEO Vince McMahon had a strangle-hold on his actors due to their contracts, controlling who they could work for despite them being independent contractors. It’s likely, albeit not confirmed, McMahon used that influence to keep Priest from joining the MCU, causing him to lose yet another massive name.
Could Damian Priest Return To The MCU?
While Damian Priest was forced to let go of his role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, he’d be far from the first actor Marvel brought back after they lost a role in the MCU. A new rumor states they’re doing the same process with Steven Yeun, who had to drop out of Thunderbolts. It seems Priest is even open to it!
“It would be cool,” Priest continued. “It’s funny because now, I’m busier than ever. Come what may, I’m good with it…Maybe I do something like that, I go a different route and I’m not sitting here with you [after] winning a world championship at WrestleMania.”
“I don’t know if that happens. Look, and I said this before, I live a certain way now that I can’t look in regret. I can’t think about stuff that didn’t work out my way. I’ve got to think about what’s next and what I can do positively for myself.”
Given the word on the street is that Damian Priest was set to play Attuma in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, it’s likely that Marvel would cast him as a villain if he ever came back to the MCU. Though given the studio has their slate of villains chocked full right now, it may be a while until the WWE superstar gets the call.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is streaming now on Disney Plus. Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the future of Black Panther 3 and the Marvel Cinematic Universe and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel for more content!