Ryan Coogler, the director known for his work on Black Panther, recently discussed the initial direction planned for the film’s sequel, providing new insight into the creative process that was affected by the sudden death of Chadwick Boseman in August 2020. Speaking on a popular podcast, Coogler highlighted that key storylines and themes for the Ryan Coogler Black Panther sequel shifted after this significant loss, leading to the version that eventually reached theaters as Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
How the Sequel’s Script Changed After Chadwick Boseman’s Passing
During the interview, Coogler explained that the original script for Black Panther II had focused on a war with Namor—a story element that survived into the final film. However, the primary personal story was centered around T’Challa and his young son. In the first version, T’Challa and his son would have been compelled to remain together during the conflict, unable to escape from the turmoil as it erupted around them.
Coogler elaborated that he felt a sense of pride over the script that didn’t get produced, but also expressed gratitude for creating a new narrative that highlighted the women leaders of Wakanda. He said the altered storyline allowed for a broader perspective on leadership and the impact of grief on a community. Although the sequel changed, he remains committed to the story’s future, stating,
“I’m in it for my heart. I got this movie on my heart.”
— Ryan Coogler, Director
The Unmade Ritual of Eight Plotline
Giving further details, Coogler described an unfilmed narrative device called the Ritual of Eight, a tradition where the prince, once reaching the age of eight, would spend eight days in the bush with his father, allowed to ask any question during this time—questions to which the father must answer honestly. It was during this sacred period in the script that Namor, leader of the fictional undersea nation Talokan and played by Tenoch Huerta, would lead an attack, forcing T’Challa and his son to face grave peril together while bound by the ritual’s strict rules.
The director reflected on the casting and performance potential, remarking,
“I finished it, and I hit him up to read it, and he was too sick to read, bro. That was kind of how the timing was,”
— Ryan Coogler, Director. Coogler told Josh Horowitz that the original script’s version of Namor was also different, and the conflict with T’Challa would have had greater intimacy and tension given the father-son relationship at the story’s heart.
“The big thing about the script was a thing called the Ritual of Eight where, [when] a prince is eight years old, he has to go spend 8 days in the bush with his father. The rule is for those eight days the prince can ask the father any question and the father has to answer. During the course of those eight days, Namor launches an attack….It was a different version of Namor in that script, but [T’Challa] had to deal with someone who’s insanely dangerous, but because of this ritual, his son had to be joined at his hip the whole time…or else they’d have to violate this ritual that had never been broken. It was insane, and Chadwick was going to kill it, but life goes as it goes.”
— Ryan Coogler, Director
Coogler’s Reflections on Working with Chadwick Boseman
Coogler completed the sequel’s script before Boseman’s decline, but the actor was too ill to review it. The director openly expressed regret that Boseman did not have the opportunity to bring his remarkable talent to the new story, feeling he had only begun to explore what Boseman could do on screen. He said,
“Our relationship was very interesting, ’cause he meant a lot of me but I found out after his passing from his family and his friends about how much I meant to him, which fucked me up pretty good,”
— Ryan Coogler, Director. He further described their close working partnership by sharing,
“I wondered if he knew just how much he meant to me. I did wonder, but he protected me from a lot; our relationship was one of a lot of protection. I was convinced, on the toughest days on Panther, that I was gonna get fired….He was like, ‘I would never let that happen to you.’”
— Ryan Coogler, Director
Performance and Legacy of Black Panther and Its Sequel
The original Black Panther film achieved over $1 billion in worldwide box office earnings and remains among Marvel’s most critically praised releases, receiving an Oscar nomination for Best Picture. Its sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, garnered $859 million, fitting expectations amid Marvel’s shifting appeal after Avengers: Endgame. Wakanda Forever also introduced audiences to new characters, including Ironheart, and inspired Disney+ spinoffs such as the live-action series Ironheart and the animated Eyes of Wakanda, expanding the universe further.
What Lies Ahead for the Black Panther Series
Ryan Coogler has reassured fans that the Black Panther franchise will continue, stating his strong desire to develop a third movie. While the exact plot and casting details remain unknown, the director’s deep commitment to the story and its legacy promises more exploration of Wakanda’s heroes, with the continued involvement of central figures such as Namor, T’Challa’s family, and others whose stories resonate with audiences. As the saga evolves, the creative vision behind the Ryan Coogler Black Panther sequel will shape its future impact in Marvel’s cinematic universe.
