10 Actors Who Could Play Black Panther In The Sequel
8. Old: Winston Duke
While Killmonger's death works against him being crowned king, you could make the argument that - thematically - it's be an interesting route for the character should he be revived somehow.
M'Baku, on the other hand, is alive and well, and just like Killmonger, his ascent to the throne would be thematically rich, given that he'd be ruling the country he once resented. It's just less likely that the filmmakers would crown M'Baku as Black Panther since his relationship to T'Challa wasn't as fleshed out as the king's wayward cousin's.
Still, we've got a relatively narrow field of noteworthy Wakandans who could take the throne. There's W'Kabi, but let's be honest: that man isn't going anywhere but Wakandan jail after his role in Killmonger's coup. Hed definitely wouldn't find himself on the throne. No, M'Baku is the more likely of the two.
The man who once lived in self-imposed exile with his tribe - a recluse among recluses in a reclusive nation - taking the leadership role of a country that has neglected him would be very interesting.