Director Ryan Coogler recently appeared on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, offering insights into his initial creative direction for “Black Panther 2” before the unforeseen passing of lead actor Chadwick Boseman. Boseman’s tragic death in August 2020 due to colon cancer necessitated a complete overhaul of the sequel’s narrative, culminating in the 2022 film “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Coogler revealed that his original script for “Black Panther 2” was designed around an intimate adventure between Boseman’s character, T’Challa, and his 8-year-old son. The central theme was the “Ritual of 8,” an ancient Wakandan tradition requiring an 8-year-old prince to spend eight days in the wilderness with his father, during which the son could ask any question and the father was bound to answer. This perilous journey was to be interrupted by an attack from Namor, played by Tenoch Huerta in the final film, who was always intended to be the main antagonist. T’Challa would then have to confront this formidable foe while strictly adhering to the ritual, ensuring his son remained by his side throughout the ordeal. Coogler expressed strong belief in Boseman’s potential performance, stating, “Chadwick was going to kill it, but life goes as it goes.”

The director confirmed that he had completed this 180-page draft of the script and reached out to Boseman for his review. However, Boseman was “too sick” at the time and unable to read it. Coogler reflected on his profound and unique relationship with Boseman, learning only after the actor’s death from his family and friends the full extent of their mutual respect and affection. He pondered whether Boseman truly understood his deep admiration. Coogler conveyed his strong affection for that original script, having poured his understanding of Boseman as a performer into its creation, feeling he had only just begun to explore Boseman’s capabilities in the first “Black Panther” film.

Beyond the sequel plans, Coogler also shared an earlier, unrealized ambition: to feature Kraven the Hunter in the original 2018 “Black Panther” movie. His desire stemmed from Christopher Priest’s “Panther” comic run, which famously begins with Panther and Kraven engaged in a conflict. Coogler, a self-professed fan of Spider-Man comics and “Spider-Man: The Animated Series,” where Kraven also appears, pitched the idea to Marvel. However, the request was denied as Kraven the Hunter is a character owned by Sony, not Disney. Sony eventually produced its own “Kraven the Hunter” film, starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, which was released in December 2024 and garnered $62 million worldwide.

Following the critical and commercial reception of his latest film “Sinners,” Ryan Coogler is now actively developing a third “Black Panther” installment for Marvel Studios, continuing his influential work within the cinematic universe.