The first installment of Black Panther hit the big screen in 2018 and grossed a $1 billion dollars worldwide. It was Walt Disney Studios’  16th film and Marvel Cinematic Universe’s fifth. Fast-forward four years later, the latest installment of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (November 2022) is here for the world to see.

The film did not arrive without it’s share of challenges. Challenges ranged from major on-set injuries to actors not returning due to scheduling conflicts and of course to the devastating passing of actor Chadwick Boseman. His death obviously halted production, but director K. Ryan Coogler says the movie will honor his legacy.

The world is anxious to see what the latest Black Panther sequel offers. If you are not a Marvel fan, there are a few interesting facts about the movie’s origin. And if you are familiar, there are a few behind-the-scenes you might not know.

• The Black Panther Was Created Over 50 Years Ago

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  The Black Panther (Marvel character) was created in July 1966. That was just two months before the Black Panther Party was formed.

• The Black Panther Party And The Film Director Have Something In Common

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  The Black Panther Party organization was based in Oakland, California. That’s the same place the film’s director Ryan Coogler and the film’s villain, Erik Killmonger were born.

• Black Panther Was NOT Named After The Militant Group

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  Many people assume that the Black Panther was named after the militant group; so in 1972, the Marvel character was renamed the Black Leopard. The name change didn’t last long because the readers and creators did not like the name change.

• The Nation Of Wakanda Comes From This Tribe

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  The name for the fictional nation of Wakanda comes from the Wakamba tribe of Kenya, also known as the Kamba.

• Consultants Helped Tell Story Of Wakanda

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  In the making of the film, Director Ryan Coogler was thoughtful and brought in consultants who were experts on African history and politics to work on defining the nation of Wakanda

• Director Ava DuVernay Was Asked To Direct Black Panther

  Director, producer, screenwriter Ava DuVernay was approached to direct Black Panther and met with Marvel Studios and star Chadwick Boseman, but their visions of the movie were not aligned.

• Director Ryan Coogler Almost Retired Before Making The Film

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  Director Ryan Coogler almost retired before the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was made. He was deeply affected by the death of Chadwick Boseman. He confessed that he considered retiring from filmmaking (per IndieWire).

• This Is What Convinced Rihanna To Be On Soundtrack

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  Singer Rihanna had not released an album in six years, but was sold on being a part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever after seeing a trailer. Director Coogler says she was moved and impressed with how committed and strong the cast was. Her single “Life Me Up” is an original piece on the soundtrack and is already making impact in the music industry.

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