Original Plans for Chadwick Boseman’s T’Challa in ‘Black Panther’ Sequel Revealed

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It’s been five years since the heartbreaking loss of Chadwick Boseman, and Ryan Coogler is now sharing his original vision for the Black Panther sequel. Boseman tragically passed away on August 28, 2020, at 43, after privately battling colon cancer. His death deeply affected everyone in Hollywood and sparked an outpouring of love for the beloved actor. Coogler, who wrote and directed, had to completely rebuild the sequel, which eventually became Wakanda Forever, due to this devastating loss.

In an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast (as reported by Comic Book Movie), director Ryan Coogler discussed his initial ideas for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. He explained that the original script featured T’Challa and his young son – born during T’Challa’s five-year absence – participating in a Wakandan bonding ritual just as Namor launched his attack on the nation. According to Coogler,

The first draft of the script was massive – around 180 pages – and centered on a tradition called the ‘Ritual of Eight.’ When a prince turns eight, he spends eight days in the wilderness with his father, including a period where they venture out without any tools. The prince must obey his father’s instructions, but he’s allowed to ask any question, and the father must answer. The story takes place while Namor attacks, and the king is forced to navigate this dangerous situation with his son constantly by his side, because breaking the ritual was unthinkable. That was the core of the film. Then, with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, I finally got to tell a story focused on women, and I’m incredibly proud of that movie.

Unfortunately, Coogler revealed Boseman never got to read the treatment due to his health, saying:

I finally finished the script and sent it to him for review, but he was too ill to read it – the timing just wasn’t right. He was battling a serious illness that was really taking away his strength. It deeply affected me, and honestly, the impact will likely be lasting. Despite everything, I truly love that script. I invested so much effort into that version of the movie, and I felt like I’d really come to understand Chadwick as an actor. I challenged him a lot with the first Black Panther, but I realized I hadn’t even begun to see his full potential. Now I know what he’s capable of, and I wanted to really push his boundaries.

Chadwick Boseman Was Intended To Be the Face of the MCU


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Ryan Coogler initially planned for Black Panther 2 to focus on T’Challa and his son, building on the father-son relationship established in the first Black Panther movie. Although the story still includes Wakanda being attacked by Namor, Shuri (Letitia Wright) now takes on the responsibility of defending her nation. The film still honors Coogler’s original vision, as a post-credit scene reveals that T’Challa and Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) had a son named Toussaint, who is given the Wakandan name T’Challa as a tribute to his father and a heartfelt remembrance of Chadwick Boseman.

After earning $1.3 billion globally and receiving a Best Picture Oscar nomination, Black Panther became Marvel’s most valuable franchise, largely thanks to its star, Chadwick Boseman. Initially, Marvel intended for Boseman’s character, T’Challa, to become a central figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, alongside heroes like Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor. However, Boseman’s untimely death significantly altered those plans. This impact was even greater than the recent dismissal of Jonathan Majors, which left the MCU’s Multiverse Saga without a clear central villain.

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Following Chadwick Boseman’s death, Marvel has decided not to replace his role as T’Challa. Instead, Shuri has taken on the mantle of the Black Panther and will reappear in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday film. While a version of T’Challa’s Black Panther appeared in Marvel Zombies, he didn’t have any lines. There’s speculation that a character named Toussiant/T’Challa II will become the new Black Panther in Doomsday and Secret Wars, allowing Marvel to continue the hero’s story respectfully. Ryan Coogler is returning to direct Black Panther 3, and fans hope it will bring a satisfying conclusion to the family’s saga.

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2025-12-29 20:48