Black Panther: Wakanda Forever's script continues to undergo changes despite the sequel starting production in Atlanta, Georgia. Writer-director Ryan Coogler was forced to rework the entire movie following the tragic passing of lead star Chadwick Boseman.
While plot details on Black Panther 2 remain under wraps, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, and Angela Bassett are all expected to reprise their roles from the original film. The 30th film in the MCU is expected to pay tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who played Black Panther in four Marvel films. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige previously stated that Black Banter 2 wouldn’t recast T’Challa or create a digital version of Boseman.
Bassett, who plays T'Challa and Shuri's Queen Mother Ramonda, told Entertainment Weekly that she doesn’t know what the final script for Black Panther 2 is going to look like. "There have been about five incarnations of the script and I hear another one's coming," said the Emmy-winner, while adding, “of course, with our dear king [Boseman] going on to glory, a lot of things had to be shifted and changed." The actress noted that Coogler and writer Joe Robert Cole are special storytellers who are crafting a satisfying sequel that will honor Boseman. Bassett’s co-star Nyong'o recently shared similar sentiments by praising Coogler’s leadership and asserting that he reimagined the sequel to respect the person Boseman was.
Earlier this year, Coogler stated that making Black Panther 2 is the hardest thing he’s ever done professionally. The filmmaker revealed that he’s still processing the loss of his friend/co-worker and that it has been tough for him to keep the franchise going without the person who was the glue that held everything together. Coogler is also slated to create and produce a Wakanda drama series for Disney Plus. Details on the cast and plot of the series have yet to be announced and it remains to be seen if the show will feature characters from the film franchise.
Coogler's Black Panther is considered one of the best Marvel films of all time. Not only did the blockbuster gross over $1 billion worldwide, but it also received seven Oscar nominations. It became the first MCU film to win an Academy Award and earn a Best Picture nomination. The film saw Boseman’s T'Challa become king of Wakanda and defeat the villainous N'Jadaka/Erik "Killmonger" Stevens (Michael B. Jordan).
Boseman’s final performance as T'Challa will be in the upcoming Disney Plus series What If...? Created by A.C. Bradley, What If…? is based on the comics of the same name and explores what would happen if major moments from the MCU occurred differently. Instead of being Black Panther, Boseman’s character becomes Star-Lord when he's picked up on earth by Yondu (Michael Rooker).
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled to be released in theatres on July 8, 2022.
Source: Entertainment Weekly