At a Glance
- The original Black Panther 2 script, featuring Chadwick Boseman, would have focused on the “Ritual of Eight”.
- Coogler rewrote the film after Boseman‘s death, turning Wakanda Forever into a tribute to the late king.
- The new movie became a box-office hit and paved the way for a third film slated for 2028.
- Why it matters: Fans now see the alternate path the franchise could have taken and how Boseman’s legacy shaped the final story.
After the heartbreaking loss of Chadwick Boseman, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever became more than just a film. It turned into a cathartic celebration of life, letting viewers confront grief in their own ways. Yet writer-director Ryan Coogler said the original version with Boseman at the center would have been equally powerful, just different.
Coogler’s Original Vision
Ryan Coogler explained on Josh Horowitz’s Happy Sad Confused podcast what the original script would have entailed. He described a key element called the “Ritual of Eight” and how it shaped the story.
- Ritual of Eight: An eight-day wilderness retreat for a prince and his father.
- The prince must live without tools, obey his father, and can ask any question the father must answer.
- During the eight days, Namor launches an attack, forcing the prince to confront danger while the father negotiates and fights.
Ryan Coogler said:
> “I loved that script, bro,”
> “I put so much into that version of the movie because I felt like I had gotten to know Chadwick as a performer.”
> “The big thing about the script was that it was this thing called the Ritual of Eight.”
> “So during the course of those eight days, Namor launches an attack.”
> “He had to deal with somebody, and it was a different version of Namor in that script, but he had to deal with someone who was, like, insanely dangerous.”
> “Because of this ritual, his son had to be joined at his hip the whole time. So while he was engaging in negotiations and fights, his son had to be right there, or else they’d have to violate this ritual, which had never been broken.”
From Tragedy to Triumph
Coogler finished the original script and sent it to Boseman to read, but the actor was too ill.
After Boseman passed, people feared the film would never materialize.
Coogler then incorporated the loss of the king into the new story, making Wakanda Forever a heartfelt tribute.
The movie was a massive hit, and Ryan Coogler is now developing a third film, expected in 2028.
In the interim, he also released a smaller film called Sinners.
Key Takeaways
- The original Black Panther 2 script centered on the “Ritual of Eight” and a different version of Namor.
- Boseman‘s death forced Coogler to rewrite the film, turning it into a tribute that resonated worldwide.
- The new film’s success set the stage for a third installment in 2028.
For more updates from News Of Philadelphia, keep an eye on upcoming releases in the Marvel, Star Wars, and DC universes.
