We Finally Know What ‘Waknda Forever’ Would Have Looked Like Originally, Before Boseman’s Death

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As a devoted fan who’s followed the Marvel Cinematic Universe since its inception, I must say that the journey of Black Panther has been nothing short of extraordinary. The character, portrayed brilliantly by Chadwick Boseman, left an indelible mark on us all.

It’s common knowledge that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s character, Black Panther, has been incredibly popular, and both movies featuring the Wakandan superhero have been massive successes. However, it’s worth noting that the second film did not include the original Black Panther, T’Challa, who was portrayed by the late Chadwick Boseman.

After Chadwick Boseman’s passing, Marvel chose not to fill his role for ‘Black Panther 2’, instead choosing to memorialize him by portraying the genuine emotional turmoil felt in real life. The reasoning behind this was that Black Panther was a significant character, and they aimed to honor Boseman’s legacy without replicating him.

Initially, Ryan Coogler’s script for “Black Panther 2” differed significantly from the final version we saw in the movie. This was due to the unfortunate fact that Chadwick Boseman was no longer able to play T’Challa. In a recent interview, Coogler shared details about his original storyline, and it turns out that there weren’t many alterations (except for the significant one).

In summary, following the demise of King T’Challa (also known as Black Panther), Wakanda is in deep sorrow with Queen Ramonda assuming the throne, supported by her daughter Shuri, the Dora Milaje, and M’Baku. A year passes, and while Wakanda remains cautiously watched by international forces due to its control over vibranium, a valuable vein of this metal is discovered beneath the ocean thanks to an experimental detector. This discovery triggers a threat from Namor, the ruler of the underwater kingdom of Talocan, who intends to wage war against Wakanda. In order to prevent global conflict, Ramonda, Shuri, and Okoye must rely on their limited allies.

Indeed, you might have guessed, the initial script wasn’t exactly what we see now, as it was penned during Chadwick Boseman’s life. However, following his unfortunate passing, adjustments had to be made to the narrative. Remarkably, Ryan Coogler shared that the core theme of the story remained consistent and adapting it proved to be a smooth process for him.

In a nutshell, the change wasn’t so dramatic as it might have been in other productions. The tone remained quite consistent. The character was grappling with mourning lost time, having been away for five years. Given his immense responsibilities, returning after an enforced absence of five years was a major theme of the film. His grief over time he couldn’t retrieve was significant. Other characters were certainly considered, but Namor was always present. The identity, imperfections, and struggles of the main character had to be distinct due to his departure and our choices about proceeding with the storyline.

Source: Inverse

It’s clear that Coogler found it relatively straightforward to adapt the script, with only a significant character omission being the main difference – an intriguing aspect to note. Additionally, we’re pleased that Namor was consistently chosen as the villain; however, there might have been room for improvement in his portrayal given this role.

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2024-10-11 14:13