Director Ryan Coogler is returning with the highly anticipatedBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, a film where he looks to address themes of grief and the loss of his friend Chadwick Boseman. In a new featurette, the cast praises Coogler’s vision for the sequel and the handling of the entire production process.
TheBlack Panthersequel will center on Wakanda trying to find a sense of stability following the passing of King T’Challa, as leaders of the powerful nation are also tasked with fighting invading forces. Coolger was in the middle of writingthe originalBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverscriptat the time of Boseman’s passing in August 2020, then taking the story in a new direction when he and the Marvel Studios agreed to not recast T’Challa.
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In the new featurette from Marvel, several cast and crew members praised Coogler’s leadership, vision, and overall handling of the entire production process, also emphasizing how the film does such a great job with paying tribute to Boseman. “When you get down to what makes this movie human, that is where Ryan really excels,” Marvel Studios Producer Nate Moore said. “Ryan has such a big heart and is such a great storyteller. The actors that he’s brought together were filled with emotion and passion," Angela Bassett said, who plays Queen Ramonda. Lupita Nyong’o, who reprises her role as Nakia, added, “There’s embracing of culture and Ryan is going a step further. We’re remembering, we’re restoring, we’re celebrating.”
Black Panther 2newcomers Tenoch Huerta(Namor) and Dominique Thorne (Riri Willaims/Iron Heart) noticed early on the talent that Coogler has and the care he’s shown for this story and everyone involved. “He has the heart to listen to you. To look in your eyes and go deep, not just in the story, but in your soul," Huerta said. Thorne added, “even in the world as fantastical as, and as magical, and as exciting as the Marvel Cinematic Universe – he has an understanding of people.”
Letitia Wright, who returns as Shuri, feels that everyone has been “transformed” through the making of the film, sharing that Coogler’s heart is pure and that “we should protect him at all cost.” For Coogler, however, aside from the incredible set pieces,Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris about the relationshipsinvolved and the process of moving forward. “But at the end of the day, I think what people are going to really remember is the conversations. How do you move forward after losing someone that meant so much to you? You have to continue their legacy,” he said.
It appears all the hard work put intoBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreveris paying off, as reviews praise the sequel for its themes, performances, and the paying a touching tribute to Boseman. Other returning cast members include Danai Gurira as Okoye,Winston Duke as M’Bakuand Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, while Michaela Coel’s Aneka, Mabel Cadena’s Namora, and Alex Livinalli’s Attuma are a few of the new additions.
