Ryan Coogler Opens Up on Massive 180-Page 'Black Panther 2' Script and What Changed

Director and writer Ryan Coogler has shared new insight into what 'Black Panther 2' was originally meant to be, revealing that his first draft of the script was an ambitious 180 pages long. The previous version, which was produced before to Chadwick Boseman's untimely death, represented a completely different emotional and narrative path for the follow-up. Fans now have a better grasp of how much the movie had to adapt and how intimate the process of creating 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' ultimately got, thanks to Coogler's latest remarks.

Ryan Coogler and the Cultural Impact of 'Black Panther'

With films like 'Fruitvale Station' and 'Creed,' Ryan Coogler became one of Hollywood's most renowned directors, but 'Black Panther' (2018) solidified his legacy in the film industry even more. With over $1.3 billion in global revenue, numerous Academy Award nominations, and three Oscars, the Marvel movie became a cultural phenomenon.

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More significantly, it changed how superhero movies were portrayed, honouring African identity, culture, and storytelling globally. 

Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of T'Challa, the Wakandan king, was crucial to that accomplishment. He became a symbol of honour, bravery, and leadership as a result of his performance, which had an impact much beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Coogler and Marvel Studios confronted an unprecedented creative and emotional hurdle when Boseman passed away in 2020 following a private struggle with cancer: how to continue the 'Black Panther' story without its central figure.

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The Original 180-Page Draft and A Very Different Story

Coogler claims that the first 180-page draft of the 'Black Panther 2' script was prepared with Boseman in mind. According to reports, T'Challa's point of view had a major role in the narrative, which included themes of time, parenthood, and legacy. T'Challa reuniting with his kid after years apart due to the Blip events from 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Endgame' was one of the main concepts. The film was designed to explore how time apart had affected both father and child, offering a deeply personal and emotional arc.

Before everything changed, this version of the sequel underwent extensive development. Coogler acknowledged that losing Boseman made him temporarily withdraw from the movie since he wasn't sure whether he could even finish it. 

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In the end, he and the ensemble chose to move forward with Boseman's legacy rather than replace him, a choice that completely changed the movie.

What We Know About 'Black Panther 2' and the Future of Wakanda?

November 2022 saw the release of 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' the sequel's final edition, which followed a different but no less emotional path. Rather than recasting T'Challa, the movie emphasized loss, sadness, and resiliency, with Letitia Wright's character Shuri taking center stage. Lupita Nyong'o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, and Tenoch Huerta, who played Namor, were among the cast members.

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Marvel Studios has stated that the Wakanda story would continue, even though Coogler has not confirmed specifics of a direct 'Black Panther 3.' The MCU's long-term legacy planning and future storyline are made possible by the sequel's revelation of T'Challa's son. Even though Coogler's original 180-page script was never made into a movie, its concepts nonetheless influence the franchise's emotional core.

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