Ryan Coogler Shares His Vision for Black Panther 2 Before Chadwick Boseman’s Passing

Chadwick Boseman in ‘Black Panther.’
Credit: Marvel Studios

Essential Insights

• Director Ryan Coogler shared his initial vision for the Black Panther sequel, which he envisioned before the passing of star Chadwick Boseman in 2020.
• During a Dec. 29 appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Coogler expressed his enthusiasm for showcasing more of Boseman’s talent in the sequel, noting that the first film only scratched the surface.
• Following Boseman’s death, Coogler adapted the script, leading to the release of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022.

Director Ryan Coogler revealed his original concept for the Black Panther sequel, which underwent significant changes after lead actor Chadwick Boseman succumbed to colon cancer in 2020. Boseman, who portrayed T’Challa, was intended to have a rich character arc in the follow-up, Coogler noted on the Happy Sad Confused podcast.

Coogler, 39, reflected on his ambition for the sequel, stating, “I threw a lot at Chad in the first Panther. But I … realized, like, oh, man, I was just scratching the surface. … I was just like, I was it was like a dump truck on him,” while speaking with host Josh Horowitz.

Inspired by the opportunities for Boseman, Coogler’s sequel, later titled Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, was centered on T’Challa and his young son participating in a “ritual” when mutant Namor attacks.

Lupita Nyong’o and Chadwick Boseman in ‘Black Panther.’
Matt Kennedy/Marvel Studios

Coogler elaborated on a pivotal aspect of the sequel’s storyline involving “The Ritual of Eight,” where a prince must spend eight days in the wilderness with his father, without any tools. During this time, the prince can ask questions, and his father must provide answers. Midway through this ritual, Namor launches his attack, complicating their journey.

Namor, portrayed by Tenoch Huerta, remained the antagonist in Wakanda Forever and is set to return in the upcoming film Avengers: Doomsday.

Tenoch Huerta as Namor in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.’
Eli Adé/Marvel Studios

Coogler also disclosed that he was unable to share his original script with Boseman, stating, “What happened was I finished it and … he was too sick to read it, bro. … He was at a place where it wasn’t… gonna happen.”

After Boseman’s death at age 43, Coogler and Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige made the decision not to recast T’Challa, instead choosing to integrate the character’s passing into the narrative.

Reflecting on Boseman’s impact, Coogler remarked, “He meant a lot to me,” recounting a time when the late actor provided support during the challenging moments of the first film’s production.

Coogler recalled, “I was convinced … on the toughest days on Panther, I was convinced that I was gonna get fired…. and I would say that. I would say it all the time, bro.”

Ryan Coogler and Chadwick Boseman in 2018.
Mike Marsland/WireImage

Addressing Coogler’s anxieties, Boseman once reassured him, saying, “One day, he took me to the side and he was like, ‘Yo, stop saying that.’ … I was like, ‘Man, I really feel that way,’” Coogler recounted. “He was like, ‘Look at me, bro. … I would never let that happen to you.’”