- Ryan Coogler says he was “heartbroken” after realizing Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was Chadwick Boseman’s final film.
- He described the filmmaking process as both a distraction and a form of catharsis.
- Coogler is now focused on his next film, Sinners, a genre-bending vampire thriller starring Michael B. Jordan.
Ryan Coogler recently reflected on the emotional toll of losing Chadwick Boseman, who passed away in 2020 from colon cancer. The director, who helmed both Black Panther films, shared that creating Wakanda Forever was a bittersweet experience. It gave him something to focus on, but also masked the deeper grief of losing a close friend and collaborator.
Despite once considering leaving the film industry entirely, Coogler ultimately chose to honor Boseman’s legacy. He continued the story in a way that acknowledged the character’s — and actor’s — absence.
From Wakanda to Vampires: Ryan Coogler’s Journey Through Grief and Growth
Chadwick Boseman’s sudden death in 2020 deeply affected Ryan Coogler. He had developed a strong personal and professional bond with the actor during the making of Black Panther. Coogler admitted that Boseman’s passing brought on a period of “complicated grief.” Continuing the Marvel franchise without him was a painful, emotional challenge.
In the aftermath, Coogler questioned his future as a filmmaker. He admitted that the grief was so overwhelming he nearly walked away from directing altogether. However, he found purpose in reshaping Wakanda Forever to pay tribute to Boseman and the character of T’Challa. He chose not to recast the role and instead weave the real-life loss into the story.
The decision to move forward with Wakanda Forever brought both healing and heartbreak. Coogler said the intense production process initially kept him from fully facing the loss. Once the film was complete, the emotional reality hit even harder. The project became both a dedication and a form of processing for the entire cast and crew.
Now, with Sinners, Coogler is embracing a completely new direction. The film, starring Michael B. Jordan in dual roles, blends horror, history, and emotional drama. While it features vampires, Coogler emphasizes that the movie is about much more than its genre label. It’s a layered, unexpected narrative that shows how far he’s come creatively and emotionally.
Ryan Coogler’s reflections show how grief and creativity are intertwined. His journey after Boseman’s death is not only about mourning a friend. It is also about finding new ways to tell powerful, human stories.
“After we put the movie out, my heart broke almost even more, because I realized all the work had been distracting me from the fact that Chad’s not going to make any more movies.”
