Draft:Untitled Wakanda series

Untitled Wakanda series
Genre
Based on
Developed byRyan Coogler
Starring
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
Production companies
Original release
NetworkDisney+
Related
Marvel Cinematic Universe television series

The untitled Wakanda series is an upcoming American television miniseries developed by Ryan Coogler for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics location Wakanda. It is intended to be part of the television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The series is also produced by Proximity Media.

Danai Gurira reprises her role as Okoye from the film series. The series was revealed to be in development in February 2021, when Coogler's overall deal with Disney was announced. Gurira had joined the series by May.

The series will be released on Disney+.

Cast and characters edit

Production edit

Development edit

In February 2021, Ryan Coogler, writer and director of the Marvel Studios films Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), announced a five-year television deal between his company Proximity Media and Walt Disney Television. The deal included development of a drama series for Disney+ based in the fictional country of Wakanda, the setting of the Black Panther films. Coogler was set to develop the series alongside Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Victoria Alonso.[3][4] Richard Newby at The Hollywood Reporter opined that the series could expand the mythos of Wakanda in a meaningful way while also being a continuing tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T'Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) until his death in August 2020. Newby said the series could potentially explore Winston Duke's M'Baku and the Jabari Tribe, given Duke was one of Black Panther's breakout performers; Erik "Killmonger" Stevens' past as a mercenary; T'Challa's father T'Chaka and his time as Black Panther preventing the colonization of Wakanda; or the Dora Milaje, Wakanda's all-female fighters. Newby also noted new comic book characters that the series could introduce to the MCU, such as Bashenga, the first Black Panther; Queen Divine Justice, an American teenage-activist who joins the Dora Milaje; or Kasper Cole, an NYPD officer who becomes the White Tiger.[5]

By May 2021, Danai Gurira had signed a deal to reprise her role as Okoye, the head of the Dora Milaje, in an origin spin-off series for the character.[1] Jeff Sneider, writing for Collider, reported that the deal was for the previously announced Wakanda series,[2] while Deadline Hollywood and /Film both said it was unclear if the deal was for that series or a separate Okoye origin series.[6][7] In November 2022, Marvel Studios executive Nate Moore, who produced the Black Panther films, said the series was not "as far along" in development given their focus on Wakanda Forever and the series Ironheart, but reaffirmed that discussions continued with Coogler about it.[8] By then, Proximity Media was already developing several series set in Wakanda.[9] In January 2023, Gurira confirmed there had been discussions surrounding an Okoye-led series,[10] with Coogler serving as an executive producer on an untitled drama spin-off starring Gurira set for release in the 2023–24 television season.[11]

Casting edit

Danai Gurira was set to star as Okoye in the series by May 2021.[1][2][needs update]

Filming edit

The series will be filmed under the working title Golden City.[12]

Release edit

The series will be released on Disney+.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c Cullins, Ashley (May 26, 2021). "Power Lawyers 2021: Hollywood's Top 100 Attorneys – Jamie Mandelbaum". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 26, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c Sneider, Jeff (May 27, 2021). "'Black Panther' TV Series: Danai Gurira to Reprise Role as Okoye on Disney+". Collider. Archived from the original on May 27, 2021. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
  3. ^ a b Fleming, Mike Jr. (February 1, 2021). "'Black Panther' Helmer Ryan Coogler Stakes His Proximity Media Banner To 5-Year Exclusive Disney Television Deal; Wakanda Series In Works For Disney+". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  4. ^ "Ryan Coogler's Proximity Media Sets Exclusive Television Deal with The Walt Disney Company". Marvel.com. February 1, 2021. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
  5. ^ Newby, Richard (February 4, 2021). "Disney+ and the Future of Wakanda". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
  6. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 27, 2021). "Danai Gurira To Reprise Okoye In 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' & Disney+ Origin Spinoff Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  7. ^ Bui, Hoai-Tran (May 28, 2021). "Danai Gurira's Okoye Will Get Her Own 'Black Panther' Spin-Off Series on Disney+". /Film. Archived from the original on May 28, 2021. Retrieved May 28, 2021.
  8. ^ O'Rourke, Ryan (November 1, 2022). "Marvel's 'Ironheart' Series Has Almost Completed Filming, Reveals Producer Nate Moore". Collider. Archived from the original on November 2, 2022. Retrieved November 1, 2022.
  9. ^ Jackson, Angelique; Vary, Adam B. (November 9, 2022). "Rebuilding 'Black Panther': How the 'Wakanda Forever' Family Fought Through Grief and Injury to Create a $250 Million Superhero Tribute". Variety. Archived from the original on November 9, 2022. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  10. ^ Perine, Aaron (January 13, 2023). "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Star Danai Gurira Addresses Okoye Spinoff Rumors". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  11. ^ "Ryan Coogler – WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West. Archived from the original on January 14, 2024. Retrieved January 14, 2024.
  12. ^ "Production Weekly – Issue 1341 – Thursday, March 16, 2023 / 166 Listings – 36 Pages". Production Weekly. March 16, 2023. Archived from the original on March 15, 2023. Retrieved March 16, 2023.

External links edit