Ryan Coogler Details His Last Conversation With Chadwick Boseman

Director Ryan Coogler has given an insight into his last conversation with the late Chadwick Boseman. The actor died in 2020 after complications from stage IV colon cancer that he privately battled. In an interview with Marvel's official Black Panther podcast, the director recalled the last time he spoke with the actor in regard to the completed sequel to their blockbuster hit Black Panther. Coogler said that the Wakanda Forever script was completed prior to Boseman's death, yet the actor decided not to read it.

"He said he didn’t wanna read it because he didn’t wanna get in the way of what direction the studio might have," the director said. "So he was like it’s better for him to read it later. I found out later that he was too tired to read anything."

Coogler also mentioned that he was ill when he met up with him to look at the script.

"He was sick when I met him," Coogler said. "But looking back on it, it’s like, my man was dying. It’s a shocking thing to realize, and it’s also a thing where it’s like 'I can’t quit.' If he did all that while he was going through that, this is just grief. So we gotta push through."

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters Friday (Nov. 11) and ahead of its release as Coogler has mentioned Boseman's character T'Challa will not be played by another actor.

"He was T’Challa before [Captain America:] Civil War in a way, in his mind," Coogler said. "And I’m sure there’s a lot of actors like that out there like that. But they wasn’t Chad."

After multiple teasers have since been released, fans suggest that T'Challa's sister Shuri (played by Letitia Wright) will most likely become the next Black Panther. Take a look at the latest trailer for the highly-anticipated film below:

Although most of us have to wait until Nov. 11 to see the highly anticipated Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Hollywood showed out last night at the premiere. Marvel has been teasing several trailers for the film and yesterday (Oct. 26) they confirmed that Rihanna return to music will be part of the film. Rihanna's "Lift Me Up" which is due to drop tomorrow, has led to even more excitement.

"Lift Me Up" was written by Tems, Oscar winner Ludwig Göransson, Rihanna, and Panther director Ryan Coogler. The track is RiRi's first solo single since 2016’s "Love on the Brain." The song is a tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman who played T'Challa in the first film.

"After speaking with Ryan and hearing his direction for the film and the song, I wanted to write something that portrays a warm embrace from all the people that I’ve lost in my life. I tried to imagine what it would feel like if I could sing to them now and express how much I miss them,” said Tems in a statement, per The Hollywood Reporter. "Rihanna has been an inspiration to me so hearing her convey this song is a great honor."

Marvel first teased Rihanna's potential involvement on their Instagram Wednesday (Oct. 26). In the clip, Wakanda Forever's "Forever" begins to fade into the background with the "R" remaining alongside the date "10-28-22" plastered below. Rihanna commented under the cryptic post with a heart emoji and the cross-arm emoji symbolizing Wakanda's greeting.

Rihanna later confirmed her involvement by reposting the video. "Lift Me Up" will be out Friday (Oct. 28).

As for the film, the latest trailer released shows Namor of the Talocan kingdom making his Marvel Cinematic debut and what fans presume to be Shuri taking on the mantle of her late brother.

Here are some moments captured on social media from the premiere's "purple carpet":

The man who made it all happen. Ryan Coogler who wrote directed both Black Panther and the sequel poses for a photo on the red carpet.

Rihanna and A$AP Rocky color coordinating on the carpet in gorgeous stone ensambles.

The cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever shares a behind-the-scenes shot of them all together.

The Queen arrived. Bassett stunned in a purple gown noting that she and the rest of the cast put their all into the making of this film.

Gurira looks beautiful in a deep purple gown.

Solo shots of Rihanna's red carpet look. The singer will be a part of the film's soundtrack with the song "Lift Me Up" dedicated to the late Chadwick Boseman.

Lupita Nyong'o talks the role of womanhood and sisterhood in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

Dominique Thorne talks Rihanna's "Lift Me Up."

Letitia Wright talks about her hopes and dreams for viewers of the film.

Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige discusses Chadwick Boseman's legacy.