Ryan Coogler Reveals Original Black Panther 2 Script

Director Ryan Coogler has offered a glimpse into what might have been with 'Black Panther 2,' revealing the specific narrative arc he had developed prior to the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman. During a recent interview, Coogler detailed a story focused on family and time lost.

The filmmaker was deep into the writing process when the project was upended by real-world tragedy. His appearance on the podcast provided the first concrete details about the sequel's original direction, highlighting a story that would have explored T'Challa's return from the Blip and his struggle to reconnect with a son who grew up without him.

Ryan Coogler utilized his appearance on the 'Happy Sad Confused' podcast to share previously unknown details about the sequel to his 2018 blockbuster. The interview took place during his ongoing press tour for the film 'Sinners' amidst the current awards season.

The director confirmed that development on 'Black Panther 2' was well underway when lead actor Chadwick Boseman passed away in August 2020 following a battle with colon cancer. Coogler's comments mark the first time he has publicly detailed the specific plot points of the script he had written.

The scrapped script reportedly featured a significant time jump to address the events of 'The Blip.' According to Coogler, the story would have explained T'Challa's absence by having him away from Earth for the full five years that the character was missing in the Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline.

Upon his return, the narrative focused heavily on T'Challa's relationship with his son. Coogler described the central conflict as a 'story of a father who was gone for five years and comes back to find he has an eight-year-old son.' This dynamic would have provided the emotional core of the film, exploring the gap between the hero and his child.

Coogler expressed a strong personal attachment to the work he had completed, noting that he had written a 180-page draft of the screenplay. He stated plainly that he 'loved' the version of the story he had created before Boseman's death changed the course of the production.

Following Boseman's passing, Marvel Studios and Coogler made the decision to completely rewrite the film. The final version of 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' chose to honor the late actor by not recasting the role of T'Challa, instead focusing on the grief of the characters within the story.

The revelation of the original script offers a fascinating look at an alternate timeline for the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the story of T'Challa and his son remains untold on screen, Coogler's insights confirm the deep emotional resonance the filmmakers intended to explore.

As Coogler continues his press tour for 'Sinners', these comments serve as a poignant reminder of the creative shifts necessitated by the loss of a beloved star and the enduring legacy of Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of the King of Wakanda.