Ryan Coogler Explains Why Recasting T’Challa in ‘Wakanda Forever Was Never Really An Option

There’s no line in ‘Wakanda Forever,’ the sequel to Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther” (2018), as bruising and seething as “Bury me in the ocean with my ancestors that jumped from the ships because they knew death was better than bondage.” But emotionally, this somber ‘Black Panther’ sequel is just as visceral and lacerating and perhaps just as absolutist. And spiritually, there is great lineage to this bitter resignation about demise, pride, ancestries, the great depths below us, and the refusal to accept enslavement.

The 2018 blockbuster Black Panther marked several milestones for Marvel and the whole MCU in ways they would be hard to follow, not least being its wide-ranging cultural impact, its groundbreaking and game-changing opening for Black filmmakers in front of and behind the camera, its imprint on social issues and certainly the fact that it became the first so-called comic book movie adaptation ever to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. That is some legacy, and add its three quarters of a billion dollar worldwide gross and you have an obvious candidate for a blockbuster sequel. However the tragic, completely unexpected death of its star, Chadwick Boseman at just age 43, and the whole idea of carrying the story forward without its key driving on screen force of King T’Challa would be a tall order for anyone. Fortunately for us it is one that has been largely met with dignity, grief over unthinkable loss, and a determination to do the right thing by director Ryan Coogler.

With the highly-anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hitting theaters this weekend, Lupita Nyong'o revealed the cast honored their late co-star Chadwick Boseman before filming began.Nyong'o, 39, who reprises her role as Nakia from the 2018 blockbuster Black Panther, was part of a cover story on the sequel for Ebony.The actress revealed that, before filming began on the sequel, the entire cast visited the grave of Chadwick Boseman. Honored: With the highly-anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hitting theaters this weekend, Lupita Nyong'o revealed the cast honored their late co-star Chadwick Boseman before filming began Grave: With the highly-anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hitting theaters this weekend, Lupita Nyong'o revealed the cast honored their late co-star Chadwick Boseman before filming beganBoseman was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016, though he kept the diagnosis private apart from his inner circle.He passed away after a four-year battle with cancer in 2020, with the cancer progressing from Stage III at diagnosis to Stage IV closer to his death.

In anticipation of its release this coming week, Disney/Marvel’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever continued its promotional tour with a historic premiere in Lagos, Nigeria on Sunday evening. This was a major event — and the first time a Marvel movie has held a premiere locally — with a large group of talent, filmmakers and press on hand for the black carpet rollout. The sequel to the $1.348B grossing original pic played across multiple screens at Filmhouse Cinemas IMAX Lekki.

Black Panther director Ryan Coogler sat down with Ta-Nehisi Coates on Thursday to discuss the making of his new film two years after his lead actor and friend Chadwick Boseman passed away.In the premiere 30-minute episode of the Wakanda Forever: Official Black Panther podcast, which dropped last week, the 36-year-old director recalled his final conversation with Boseman.A few weeks after Coogler had finished writing the script for the sequel, he spoke to Chadwick for the last time. Remembering his final days: Black Panther director Ryan Coogler sat down with Ta-Nehisi Coates on Thursday to discuss the making of his new film two years after his lead actor and friend Chadwick Boseman passed away - Coogler and Boseman pictured on February 8, 2018 in London, England at the European Premiere of Black Panther'My last conversation with him was calling to ask if he wanted to read it before I got notes from the studio,' said Coogler.Coogler remembered that Chadwick seemed 'tired' during their phone conversation and said he did not feel like reading the script.

Remembering a legend. Two years after, Chadwick Boseman’s unexpected death, filmmaker Ryan Coogler is looking back at their final memories together.

Michaela Coel revealed her pride to be joining the cast of Wakanda Forever, as she took her place on the red carpet in London for the film’s European premiere.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” hits theaters next weekend to wrap up Phase 4 of the MCU, and Marvel fans have lots of questions in the lead-up to the film’s release.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” hits theaters next Friday to wrap Phase 4 of the MCU. And while that’s exciting for Marvel fans, another more serious ambiance hangs over Ryan Coogler‘s sequel to his 2018 film.

Marvel’s first mutant, Namor, is finally making his live-action debut in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” next week. Played by Mexican actor Tenoch Huerta, Namor’s inclusion comes after a long journey that includes failed attempts by Universal Pictures to make a solo film back in the 2000s before the character could join the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Angela Bassett arrived at the Good Morning America set in New York City on Wednesday morning.The 64-year-old actress stood out while wearing a vibrantly colored outfit as she made her way towards the widely viewed talk show's production area.While on the show she talked up her new movie Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which is set to be released in the United States on November 11. 'I've always wanted to play queen. But where I come from it's just...

Rihanna, the top-selling digital singles artist of all time, is back to add to that record. Tonight marked the release of the first single from the forthcoming soundtrack to the eagerly awaited film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Rihanna looked ethereal in the music video for new single, Lift Me Up on Wednesday - after the star delighted fans with her first single release in six years.The video for the track from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack shows the Umbrella singer, 34. standing on the beach in a white dress at sunset as she hums the melody near a bonfire.The soaring melody, large piano chords, and plucked string instruments create an emotional ambiance as a tribute to the late Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman.  Wow: Rihanna looked ethereal in the music video for new single, Lift Me Up on Wednesday - after the star delighted fans with her first single release in six years The star sports wavy tresses and  a flowing white dress as she walks down the beach, before taking a quiet moment by the bonfire. The song has the lyrics 'Lift me up, hold me down, keep me close, safe and sound'  Boseman died in 2020 at age 43 following a private battle with colon cancer.  The highly-anticipated Black Panther sequel Wakanda Forever hits theaters November 11, and the poster for the film is flashed on the screen at the end of the video.The tune is already a hit with her faithful fan base, known as Rihanna's Navy.  Radiant: The video for the track from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack shows the Umbrella singer, 34.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” wraps up MCU‘s Phase 4 on November 11, and advance word from the film’s world premiere two days ago is very, very strong. No surprise there, as Ryan Coogler cooked up one of Marvel‘s best films with 2018’s “Black Panther.” But the film sees Coogler and its cast and crew face the death of star Chadwick Boseman last year, a difficult thing to manage for any film.

Anti in January 2016. The Fenty Beauty mogul announced her new track, “Lift Me Up,” which will be featured in the Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever.

It’s been six years since the pop star and now fashion and makeup mogul Rihanna released new music. That changed tonight with the release of “Lift Me Up,” a ballad featured in Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” And, sorry Gaga fans, once you hear it you’ll realize why it’s now the presumptive favorite to take the Best Original Song Oscar.

Back and better than ever! Six years after the release of her last album, Anti, Rihanna’s musical comeback is here. 

A fashionable honor. Letitia Wright paid tribute to Chadwick Boseman at the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premiere.

Rihanna has announced that she will make her long awaited return to music tomorrow with ‘Lift Me Up’, a song recorded for the soundtrack of upcoming Marvel movie ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’.The song was written by Nigerian singer and producer Tems as a tribute to the late actor – and star of the first ‘Black Panther’ movie – Chadwick Boseman. Ludwig Göransson, who wrote the score for the film and produced this track, is also credited as a co-writer of the song, alongside the film’s director Ryan Coogler and Rihanna herself.“After speaking with Ryan, and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life”, says Tems.