Ryan Coogler Reveals Original Black Panther 2 Script

Ryan Coogler has provided a comprehensive look at the script for 'Black Panther 2' that existed before the passing of Chadwick Boseman. The director detailed the story during an appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast.

The original draft was an 180-page script that explored a post-Blip narrative. It featured T'Challa returning after a five-year absence to meet his son, Toussaint, for the first time. The story revolved around a specific ritual involving the father and son, which would be interrupted by an attack from Namor. Coogler expressed deep regret that this version of the film never came to fruition, noting how well he had come to understand Boseman as a performer.

The script for the sequel was completed before Boseman's death in August 2020. Coogler had asked the actor to review the draft, but Boseman was too sick to read it. The story was designed to address the events of 'Avengers: Endgame' directly.

The plot would have picked up after the Blip, exploring T'Challa's return to a world that had moved on without him. Specifically, the narrative focused on his reunion with his son, Toussaint, who had been raised by his mother, Nakia, and had no memory of his biological father.

Coogler previously described the opening scene to The New York Times. It would have been an animated sequence where Nakia explains Toussaint's heritage to him. The story would then cut to reality on the night everyone returned from the Blip, showing T'Challa meeting his son for the first time.

The script jumped ahead three years to show the father and son co-parenting. The central conflict of the film was titled 'Summer Break,' focusing on a summer the child spent with his dad. For his eighth birthday, a traditional ritual would take them into the bush to live off the land.

Coogler revealed specific details about the central plot device known as the Ritual of Eight. This tradition dictated that when a prince turns eight years old, he must spend eight days in the bush with his father.

During these eight days, the pair must enter the wilderness without any tools. The prince is required to listen to and obey everything the father asks. However, the rule also grants the prince the ability to ask any question, which the father must answer.

The narrative tension arose when Namor launched an attack during this ritual. Coogler explained that the version of Namor in this script was different from the one seen in the final film. T'Challa had to deal with an 'insanely dangerous' threat while the ritual required his son to be 'joined at his hip' the entire time.

Coogler stated: "So while he was engaging in negotiations, fights, his son had to be right there or violate this ritual which had never been broken." He described the concept as 'insane' and expressed confidence that Boseman 'was going to kill it.'

Coogler discussed the profound personal impact Boseman had on him and the devastation caused by his death. He described their relationship as one of protection, noting that Boseman shielded him from many pressures during the production of the first film.

The director recalled a specific moment when he was convinced he was going to be fired. Boseman took him aside and told him to stop saying that, promising, 'I would never let that happen to you.' Coogler admitted that looking back, Boseman was always protecting him.

Learning from Boseman's family and friends how much he meant to the actor 'f***ed me up pretty good,' Coogler said. He wondered if Boseman knew how much he meant to him in return.

Witnessing the disease take Boseman's strength damaged Coogler deeply. He said: 'Probably irreparably, to be honest with you.' Despite the pain, he noted that he loved the script he had written because he had finally learned what Boseman was capable of as a performer.

Coogler said: "I put so much into that version of the movie. Because I felt like I had gotten to know Chadwick as a performer... I realized I was just scratching the surface."

Following Boseman's death, Coogler completely rewrote the sequel. The resulting film, 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,' shifted focus to Shuri (Letitia Wright) and dealt heavily with themes of grief. The movie served as a bridge to future MCU events and set up the third installment.

Coogler has confirmed he will return to direct Black Panther 3. When asked why he is making another film after the success of the first two, Coogler emphasized that he is not trying to prove anything.

He stated: "I'm telling stories that I want to tell, that I'm obsessed with, that I feel like the burning desire to do." He described the upcoming project as a movie he has 'on my heart' and is 'incredibly excited about.'