Ryan Coogler, acclaimed for directing Marvel’s Black Panther films, recently revealed on the Happy Sad Confused podcast that his initial ideas for the 2018 blockbuster involved introducing Kraven the Hunter, which highlights a fascinating alternate route for the film’s development. These Ryan Coogler Black Panther plans were ultimately altered due to studio complications, shaping the trajectory of both Black Panther and Sony’s future character projects.
Behind the Scenes: Early Villain Concepts for Black Panther
When Ryan Coogler joined the Black Panther project, he stepped into a creative process already in motion, collaborating with co-writer Joe Robert Cole, who had worked extensively with Marvel on story outlines. Coogler explained,
When I took that job, Joe Robert Cole, who was my co-writer on both the Panthers … had been working with Marvel and they had an outline,
Coogler recalled.
So, when I showed up, it was like, ‘Hey, our villains are Klaue and Erik Killmonger.’ That had been decided upon.
This early setup cemented the villains of Klaue and Erik Killmonger as T’Challa’s main adversaries instead of Kraven the Hunter.
The Unmade Kraven Crossover
The initial intention was to draw inspiration from Christopher Priest’s acclaimed Black Panther comic run, where the narrative notably opens with T’Challa battling Kraven in a domestic setting. Coogler recalled the process, noting,
with a fight with Panther and Kraven in the kitchen,
and went on to say, “That’s the first thing.” As a long-time Spider-Man enthusiast, Coogler revealed,
I’m a big Spider-Man fan, especially Spider-Man: The Animated Series. Kraven’s great in that,
Coogler said.
He’s also great in the books. So, I was like, ‘Yo, can I have Kraven in this movie?’
However, licensing complexities quickly became apparent. Since Sony Pictures has owned the rights to Spider-Man characters, including Kraven, since the 1990s, Disney-owned Marvel Studios had to approach their longtime competitor to gain approval. Coogler recalled,
They hit [up] Sony and Sony was like, ‘Absolutely not,’
before adding,
But I’m glad it didn’t work out because Kraven would’ve basically taken that Klaue spot and I wouldn’t have been able to work with Andy [Serkis]. Thankfully, it was doomed from the jump.
As a result, Andy Serkis remained in the film in the role of Klaue, and an entirely different dynamic shaped Black Panther’s narrative.
The Impact of Sony’s Decision and Black Panther’s Success
Ironically, Sony later sought to capitalize on Kraven’s popularity with a standalone film starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, after other Spider-Man villain films like Morbius and Madame Web also failed to connect with critics or audiences. Despite Sony’s refusal, Marvel’s Black Panther became a massive hit, earning over $1 billion globally and collecting seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and winning for Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score.
Marvel’s commitment to the story would eventually lead to a sequel, prompted by the original’s overwhelming acclaim. In reflecting on the creative journey with Chadwick Boseman, Coogler said,
I threw a lot at Chad in the first Panther, but I realized I was just scratching the surface,
Coogler noted on the podcast.
It was [going] to be like a dump truck on him.
Tragically, Boseman’s passing from colon cancer at age 43 necessitated a reset, shifting the focus to Shuri, portrayed by Letitia Wright, who upheld the Black Panther mantle in 2022’s Wakanda Forever. The sequel introduced T’Challa and Nakia’s son, further deepening the legacy, while actors like Lupita Nyong’o and Angela Bassett brought fresh dimensions to this ongoing saga.
Within the rapidly expanding Black Panther universe, Marvel Studios also brought to life TV spin-offs, including Eyes of Wakanda and Ironheart, adding new layers to the Wakandan mythos and continuing to highlight characters such as Shuri and her evolving role as a tech-driven leader.
Looking Ahead: The Third Black Panther Film on the Horizon
The franchise’s journey is far from over, with Ryan Coogler returning to write and direct the third Black Panther installment. Amid high anticipation, Coogler expressed on the podcast,
I’m telling stories that I want to tell, that I’m obsessed with, that I feel the burning desire to do,
and continued,
It’s a movie that I’m incredibly excited about. That’s really the truth of it … I’m in it for my heart, bro. I’ve got this movie on my heart.
While Marvel Studios has yet to release a title or an official debut date for the trilogy’s concluding chapter, it is confirmed that Denzel Washington will take part in a key role, and this appearance is speculated to be among his last in film before an anticipated retirement. This participation by Washington signals a major development for the franchise, promising new emotional depths and expanding upon the legacy laid by Chadwick Boseman, Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Joe Robert Cole, and others. For Coogler, whose passion is evident from both his earlier and current Ryan Coogler Black Panther plans, the journey of T’Challa, Shuri, and Wakanda’s interconnected tales continues to capture global audiences and reshape superhero storytelling.
