Recently, Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther 2 talked about the challenges he faces continuing the sequel without the star, Chadwick Boseman.
Black Panther was a huge success for Marvel and it’s popularity brought about a lot of expectations for the upcoming sequel. Unfortunately, everything changed with the passing of lead actor Boseman last year from colon cancer.
Coogler, who directed Black Panther and is returning for Black Panther 2, spoke about the difficulty of continuing the franchise without Boseman.
“You know, I’m currently going through [writing and planning the sequel script]. One thing that I’ve learned in my short or long time on this Earth, however, you want to look at it, it’s difficult to have perspective on something while you’re going through it. This is one of the more profound things that I’ve ever gone through in my life, having to be a part of keeping this project going without this particular person. Who was like the glue that held it together.”
Boseman was brought on as King T’Challa aka Black Panther first in Captain America: Civil War. Meaning he was attached to MCU even before Coogler was picked up to direct the standalone Black Panther movie.
After Boseman’s passing, it left Black Panther fans with a lot of questions, not just for the standalone movies, but the MCU as a whole. However, Kevin Feige has spoken about the situation faced and saying that the role of King T’Challa will not be recast.
Coogler has admitted that it’s difficult to embrace an emotional balance working on Black Panther 2, making it the hardest thing to do in his career.
“You have a personal life, you have a professional life, you got a private life. When you work in something that you love, those things blend, they come together right? Your life kind of becomes your work for the better part of it. So, I’m trying to find a work-life balance, so I’m working on building two things that can stand on their own. I’m not there yet. But, this is without question, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my professional life.”
At the time Avengers: Endgame came out, it was theorized that Namor the Submariner was about to enter the MCU. During the start of Endgame, a scene with Natasha Romanoff checking in with War Machine, Rocket Raccoon, Captain Marvel, and Okoye, she asks Okoye about some seismic activity at the bottom of the ocean. This turns out to be an Easter egg of sorts for Namor.
So it seemed that Namor was going to be the antagonist for Black Panther 2, however, most likely any plans for the sequel are being overhauled now that they won’t have Boseman and are not going to replace him.
Black Panther 2 is set to release in theaters on July 8, 2022.
