After Randy Orton's failed Deadpool audition, another big WWE superstar reveals they were cast as a Black Panther 2 villain but it "got taken away"

Sep. 5, 2024

“It’s a long story but, basically, it got taken away from me”

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Former WWE champion Damian Priest has revealed he was cast in an undisclosed role inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever– but had it “taken away.”

Speaking onInsight with Chris Van Vliet, Priest – who recently lost his World Heavyweight Championship in a match at SummerSlam – revealed that he was lined up to appear in the Black Panther sequel.

“It’s a long story but, basically, it got taken away from me – but not [by] Marvel,” Priest said, while confirming he booked the role after doing auditions and screen tests. In response to the host Van Vliet’s speculation that the WWE regime – which was then controlled by Vince McMahon – was different at the time, Priest responded: “Exactly.”

Priest added, “I’m ready. Look, come what may, I’m good with it. Maybe I’d do something like that, I go a different route, and I’m not sitting here, being the world champion… There’s no point in being miserable over something that did or didn’t [happen], but you can’t go back in time.”

While it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who Priest would have played, rumors have long linked him with the role of Namor (which went to Tenoch Huerta) or his advisor Attuma (Alex Livinalli). We imagine the latter would have suited Priest well, given the stature and presence of the Talokan warrior.

Priest isn’t the only WWE superstar who almost swapped the canvas for comic book movies. Randy Orton recently revealedhe auditioned to play CableinDeadpool 2, but didn’t get any further in the process.

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I’m the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you’ll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

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