What was the original plan for Wakanda Forever before Chadwick Boseman's death?

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever director Ryan Coogler previously revealed the original plans for the Black Panther sequel were to focus on T'Challa's development as a leader, following his ascension to the throne within the wider Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The first Black Panther movie was an enormous success both critically and commercially, being the only 'superhero' movie to receive an Academy Award nomination for Best Picture.

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Due to its success, and the wider MCU, a sequel was inevitable. However, plans for a Black Panther 2 became unclear after star Chadwick Boseman tragically passed away after losing his battle with cancer.

Eventually, the sequel was commissioned, and it focused more on Wakanda as a whole and secondary characters from the first movie, while T'Challa's death was written into the plot.

Originally, the focus, obviously, was on T'Challa himself.

“The script we wrote before Chadwick passed was very much rooted in T’Challa’s perspective,” Coogler told The Hollywood Reporter.

“It was a massive movie but also simultaneously a character study that delved deeply into his psyche and situation.” 

T'Challa was not recast for Black Panther 2

There are a number of fans who believe that the role of T'Challa should have been recast in order to keep the character going in the MCU.

An online petition was even been created for that request.

However, Marvel made the decision not to replace Boseman, and his co-star Lupita Nyong'o insists that was the right call.

“That is not the death of the Black Panther, that’s the whole point,” she says.

“It’s laying to rest and allowing for real life to inform the story of the movies. I know that there are all sorts of reasons why people want him to be recast, but I don’t have the patience. I don’t have the presence of mind, or I don’t have the objectivity to argue with that. I don’t. I’m very biased.”