Black Panther: Wakanda Forever: Ryan Coogler explains what the film was like with Chadwick Boseman

The production of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was heavily influenced by the death of Chadwick Boseman, an actor who played T’Challa in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The initial script told a different story than the one we will see in theaters on November 11, the death of Boseman and, consequently, that of the main character, Black Panther, forced to change the plot of the film. Thanks to director and screenwriter Ryan Coogler, we know what the story of “Wakanda Forever” was like in the beginning and the main differences from the final version.

In an interview with Inverse, Coogler reveals this the tone would have been similar in both versions, that loss and bereavement had always been a central theme of the film, but the reason was different: “The tone would have been similar. The character (Black Panther) would have been in mourning for the waste of time, you know, returning after being gone for five years (because of Thanos’ shot in ‘Avengers: Infinity War’).” ). A man with so many responsibilities for so many people who return after an unwanted five-year absence, that’s what the film was about. For a while he was hurt that he couldn’t go back. Pain was a big part of the movie. “

In the story that finally arrives in theaters, that feeling of loss and grief will be manifested by Wakanda and the characters close to T’Challa, who mourn the death of their king. Coogler explains that the new script was written to represent a theme such as suffering in a much more literal and direct way. But in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”, the fictional nation will not be able to mourn T’Challa in peace, as some of the world powers will take advantage of the country’s unstable situation to try to expropriate its resources. To this we must add Namor, prince of the underwater kingdom of Talocán, who will also be a challenge for its protagonists. Despite the script change, Coogler says the idea of ​​introducing Namor as the film’s antagonist was always present.

One of the plots most present in superhero movies and in cinema in general is the path followed by the hero or protagonist throughout the story. Everything related to this subject had to be changed: “Who was the protagonist, the weaknesses of the protagonist, what he was going through on his journey, all of this had to be different because we lost him (Chadwick). “

A loss that is difficult to overcome

Chadwick Boseman’s death shocked much of the world, but if anyone was particularly impressed, it was the actor’s companions and companions in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”. Much of the cast has repeatedly explained how difficult it was to get on with the film without Boseman, but one of the most direct comments on the team’s situation was made by Ryan Coogler himself. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the director and screenwriter has revealed that he is close to leaving his position in the film and leaving the world of cinema aside. He didn’t see himself capable of continuing without Boseman, but in the end that pain transformed him into his strength that made him move forward to honor his great friend in the project.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will be released in theaters on November 11th.