‘He Was Too Sick To Read’: Ryan Coogler Gets Real About How Far Black Panther 2 Got Before Chadwick Boseman’s Death

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Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, has recently shared how much the loss of Chadwick Boseman restricted the film’s development. He describes a difficult production process that was essentially stopped in its tracks by the tragic news of Boseman’s passing, leaving very little time for creative exploration.

Coogler opened up during a recent conversation on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast, a clip of which was later shared to Instagram. In it, the Fruitvale Station filmmaker explained that Boseman’s health had declined to the point where he was physically unable to read the sequel’s script. The admission underscores just how limited the creative process was on Wakanda Forever before Boseman passed away in August 2020. As Coogler put it:

I finished it and sent it to him for review, but unfortunately, he was too ill to read it at the time. The timing just wasn’t right, as he wasn’t feeling well enough.

This new information sheds light on a long-standing question among fans: to what extent was Wakanda Forever originally planned with Chadwick Boseman in mind? Director Ryan Coogler explains that while a script existed, Boseman’s health meant the movie couldn’t move forward as initially envisioned – it simply “wasn’t going to happen” in its original form. Consequently, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had to be almost completely rewritten and redesigned, continuing the story without its lead actor and central emotional force.

The director of Black Panther has discussed his grief after Chadwick Boseman’s death previously, but his recent comments really highlight how shocking and upsetting the loss was for him personally. He also shared how much it meant to him to find out what Boseman had thought of him, explaining that it was particularly difficult to learn…

It really hit me hard when I learned, after he died, how much I mattered to him, according to his family and friends. It messed me up, honestly. I just keep wondering if he realized how much he meant to me.

As a huge fan, it was shocking to learn how much Chadwick Boseman endured while battling his illness. He kept it mostly to himself, even from those he worked with, and kept pushing forward with projects as long as he could. It really hit me hard realizing he wasn’t even able to fully dive into the script for the sequel because things were progressing so rapidly behind the scenes. It just shows his incredible dedication and how quickly his health declined.

The decision of whether to replace Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa was incredibly challenging for Marvel Studios. Ultimately, director Ryan Coogler and the studio decided against recasting the role, choosing instead to honor Boseman’s portrayal of Black Panther. This led them to refocus Wakanda Forever on themes of grief and remembrance. The film then highlighted characters like Shuri, Queen Ramonda, and Namor, allowing the story to explore loss both for the characters and for everyone involved in making the movie.

The director of Creed has often said making this film was incredibly challenging, one of the most difficult experiences of his career. He seriously considered abandoning the project, questioning if it could even be finished after the tragic loss of T’Challa actor Chadwick Boseman. Ultimately, it was support from Boseman’s family and the rest of the cast that motivated him to continue, with the understanding that the film would honor Boseman’s legacy instead of trying to replace him.

The emotional impact stayed with everyone involved throughout the making of the film, and cast members have often talked about this since it came out. Lupita Nyong’o explained around the time of the premiere that the story intentionally reflected the genuine sadness the actors were feeling.

Disney+ subscriptions start at $11.99 per month with ads. It’s the streaming home of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, including all the Black Panther movies. You can remove the ads for $18.99 a month, or save 16% by paying $189.99 for a full year. See the deal here.

Danai Gurira explained that the sequel felt deeply connected to Chadwick Boseman and his inspiring energy, highlighting his strong leadership and kindness on set. Director Ryan Coogler kept Boseman’s memory close throughout filming, even wearing a necklace with his image as a constant reminder of the film’s purpose. This influence extended beyond Wakanda Forever, continuing to shape Coogler’s creative choices in subsequent projects, such as Sinners.

It’s incredibly impressive how much Wakanda Forever had to be reworked after Chadwick Boseman’s passing, especially hearing the director explain it so directly. The film wasn’t simply finished using old plans; it was completely rebuilt, fueled by sadness, remembrance, and a dedication to celebrating the legacy of an actor who profoundly impacted the Marvel Cinematic Universe, even after he was gone.

As a Marvel fan, I’m happy to report that both Black Panther and Wakanda Forever are now streaming on Disney+. And the best part? You can watch them, and every other movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in the exact order they were released – perfect for a marathon!

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2025-12-29 20:41