Despite being one of the many integral players in Captain America: Civil War laying the groundwork for Black Panther and his mythos. T'Challa was, of course, one of the superhero combatants, and we also met his father, T'Chaka, who unfortunately was killed soon after. However, many were surprised to see that the movie's post-credits scene happened in Wakanda, Black Panther's home country. It was a fun reveal, but according to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, it was important to remind audiences that these movies are part of the same universe.
Although it's important that each standalone Marvel movie can work on its own, Kevin Feige told IGN that they also take steps to make sure that these "worlds" are clearly connected to one another, like having Wakanda cameo in Captain America: Civil War. In his words:
We promised Ryan Coogler we wouldn't show too much, which is why it's so misty at the end. We didn't want to lock him into it. All of that I think is going to integrate really easily and nicely now that audiences seems to accept that they all inhabit the same universe.
Wakanda was spoken about repeatedly in Captain America: Civil War, but it wasn't glimpsed until the eponymous conflict had wrapped up (for now). After spending the movie hunting his father's killer across the United States, Germany and Russia, T'Challa returned back to his home nation, but not alone. He also granted Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes asylum within Wakanda's borders, as they were being hunted by the world's governments, the former for not signing the Sokovia Accords and the latter for his crimes as the Winter Soldier. Once settled, Bucky voluntarily went back into deep freeze until the Wakandan scientists could figure out a way to overwrite the HYDRA programming in his head. As for Wakanda itself, we only saw a giant panther statute (seen above) in a misty jungle, but as Kevin Feige alluded, director Ryan Coogler will have a lot of freedom constructing how other areas of the country look in Black Panther.
When Marvel fans reunite with T'Challa in a couple years, he'll be learning the ropes of ruling over an entire nation as Wakanda's new king. Unfortunately, his time at home will be anything but pleasant. Along with his royal duties, he'll also have to contend with Erik Killmonger (played by Michael B. Jordan) and M'Baku (played by Winston Duke) in Black Panther. As for Wakanda, it's now established as one of the more notable locations in the MCU, so don't be surprised if there are other visits to it in the future outside of the Black Panther movies.
Marvel fans will see a lot more of Wakanda when Black Panther slashes its way into theaters on February 16, 2018.
