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Ryan Coogler Details Theme of Black Panther 2’s Original Script

October 19, 2022

When Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres later this year, it will do so without the late Chadwick Boseman, who rose to superstardom and international acclaim following his portrayal of Black Panther.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, director Ryan Coogler spoke about just how different the sequel was prior to Boseman’s death. In a recent interview, Coogler mentioned that the script that was written prior to Chadwick’s passing was much more rooted in T’Challa’s point of view.

“The script we wrote before Chadwick passed was very much rooted in T’Challa’s perspective,” Coogler said. “It was a massive movie but also simultaneously a character study that delved deeply into his psyche and situation.”

Unfortunately, once Boseman passed away, the team behind the film had to shift the focus of the film. Despite that, one thing remained clear, and it’s that recasting the character of T’Challa would not take place. According to actress Lupita Nyong’o, she’s glad that didn’t happen and thinks that allowing “real life to inform the story of the movies” was a better decision.

“That is not the death of the Black Panther; that’s the whole point,” Nyong’o says. “It’s laying to rest [T’Challa] and allowing for real life to inform the story of the movies. I know that there are all sorts of reasons why people want him to be recast, but I don’t have the patience. I don’t have the presence of mind, or I don’t have the objectivity to argue with that. I don’t. I’m very biased.”

“In the film, Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M’Baku, Okoye, and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death,” reads the synopsis. “As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia and Everett Ross and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.”

Ryan Coogler is once again directing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever from a screenplay he is co-writing with Joe Robert Cole. It is produced by Kevin Feige and Nate Moore, with Victoria Alonso, Louis D’Esposito, and Barry Waldman serving as executive producers. The film is set to arrive in theaters on November 11.