Ryan
Coogler

Coogler’s struggle to bring his Marvel sequel “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” to theaters was a veritable hero’s journey, ultimately culminating with the film’s November 2022 release. The first setback was the tragic loss of star Chadwick Boseman, who passed away from colon cancer in August 2020. Instead of recasting Boseman’s role as T’Challa, Coogler reworked the script to focus more on the character’s sister, Shuri, played by Letitia Wright. Things didn’t get any easier when filming finally got underway in late June 2021. Coogler had to cope with delays caused by temporary shutdowns for cast and crew COVID-19 infections, as well as several stunt-related injuries to Wright (including a fractured shoulder and a concussion). One bright spot: “Judas and the Black Messiah,” which earned him an Oscar nomination for best picture as one of its producers in 2021.