According to Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige, Ryan Coogler “poured his heart and soul” into the Black Panther sequel.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” reunites many of the stars from the first film, though the premise was forced to shift after lead actor Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death at the age of 43 from cancer in August 2020.
However, Feige has praised returning director Coogler for his work honoring the late star in the new Marvel installment.
Of Coogler, the studio president told The Hollywood Reporter he “poured his heart and soul (into the sequel).”
“It’s a tribute to (Boseman),” he continued. “Part of that, as you’ll see in the movie, honoring the character and by extension the man, but also honoring it by continuing the legacy and the story and the mythology of Wakanda and all the other characters.
“That’s what I think Chad would be excited for. This is a celebration, which I would imagine would make him pleased.”
Angela Bassett, Martin Freeman, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright and Winston Duke all reprise their roles, while Michaela Coel, Richard Schiff and Dominique Thorne are among the new cast members.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is in cinemas now.