Black Panther 2 Director Ryan Coogler Recalls His Last Conversation With Chadwick Boseman
On November 11, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” debuts in theaters. The absence of Chadwick Boseman, whose name had become synonymous with “Black Panther,” will make the movie stand out. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler had to completely rework the movie following the tragic passing of Chadwick Boseman from cancer in 2020, creating what the next installment of the franchise would look like without its iconic lead while honoring the memory of the actor and character.
Co-writer and director Ryan Coogler has now recounted his final discussion with Chadwick Boseman in advance of the movie’s release. Prior to his passing from colon cancer in 2020, the actor was supposed to appear in the follow-up. Coogler and Marvel kept making Black Panther: Wakanda Forever without recasting T’Challa after a time of mourning.
ScreenRant reported that Ryan Coogler discussed his relationship with the late actor Chadwick Boseman in an episode of Marvel’s The Official Black Panther Podcast. In the podcast, the director talked about his last conversation with the actor. He said that he wanted to talk with Boseman about the script, but Boseman refused to read it for a sad reason that Coogler would find out later.
“Prior to receiving notes from the studio, I called him and asked if he would want to read them.” He passed away just a few weeks after I finished, and it was the last time I spoke to him,” Coogler said, adding, “He was exhausted, bro.” He looked exhausted to me. I had been attempting to contact him for a few days. […] I sensed that something was off.”
Coogler said that Boseman was joking and laughing as he talked about how he was getting ready for a wedding in South Carolina.
Then he said that he didn’t want to read it because he didn’t want to interfere with any studio notes that could be present. He stated, “It’s best if I read it later.” However, I later learned that he was too exhausted to read what “Coogler” disclosed.
