The controversial meme depicting Ryan Gosling as Black Panther has resurfaced following the reveal of Ketema, a white young man, as a version of the Protector of Wakanda in Marvel Comics. Notably, Black Panther, both in comics and in various adaptations, has been depicted as a Black person of African origin.
This includes the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in which Black Panther has been portrayed by Chadwick Boseman and Letitia Wright.
With Ketema’s reveal, Ryan Gosling’s white Black Panther resurfaces
Ketema’s identity is revealed in Marvel Knights: The World To Come #1 (2025), where he removes his mask to show that he’s a young white man. This twist brought renewed attention to the old meme of Ryan Gosling playing Black Panther, causing fans to speculate whether such casting could actually happen. Despite the buzz, this idea remains far from becoming a reality.
The first issue of Christopher Priest and Joe Quesada’s new Marvel Knights: The World To Come miniseries sets up the stage for the narrative. T’Challa is dead, and the story goes back and forth across time to depict its impact. In one scene, taking place several years before the primary setting, an older T’Challa takes on Ketema, a man in a Black Panther costume, in a tribal challenge.
It soon becomes apparent through the interaction between the characters that Ketema is T’Challa’s son, and there is a lot of antagonistic sentiment between them.
Eventually, Ketema triumphs over his father and unmasks himself to reveal that he has blonde hair and pale skin. He declares, “I am king now. Wakanda is mine.”
After defeating T’Challa in the challenge, Ketema takes off his mask, exposing his pale skin and blonde hair. In a bold declaration of power, he claims the Wakandan throne with the words, “I am king now. Wakanda is mine,” marking a dramatic turn in the storyline and raising many questions about his origins and legitimacy.
The comic also hints at T’Challa’s renewed relationship with his ex-fiancée Monica Lynne following the collapse of his marriage to Storm, a member of the X-Men. It’s suggested that Monica became pregnant, yet both she and T’Challa are Black—making it improbable that Ketema is their biological child. In fact, the story leaves it deliberately vague whether Ketema is truly T’Challa’s son by blood, or if there’s another explanation behind his heritage.
Last Thought
The introduction of Ketema as a white heir to the Black Panther legacy has sparked curiosity and debate within the Marvel fanbase. While the narrative choice opens new possibilities, it also challenges long-standing cultural symbolism tied to the character. Whether Marvel is setting the stage for deeper storytelling or simply provoking conversation, one thing is certain: the legacy of the Black Panther continues to evolve in ways that no one can ignore.
