Okoye is one of the key players in the Black Panther films, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever gave her a stunning makeover. After being stripped of her title as the leader of the Dora Milaje by Ramonda, Okoye took up the mantle of the Midnight Angel with Aneka, introducing a new element in the MCU.
But did you know Okoye’s character arc had something even bigger planned in an earlier cut of the sequel? Director Ryan Coogler may have left the throne in Shuri’s hand after Queen Ramonda’s death, but Okoye almost became Queen of Wakanda in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
In a deleted scene released by IGN, Okoye’s uncle insists that she stands as the representative of the Border Tribe and challenge Princess Shuri for the throne. While Okoye seemed more stunned than appalled, she didn’t seem too keen on the idea, much like Coogler, who cut it from the film that premiered in theaters in November 2022. You can view the deleted scene below:
We can think of two points as the reasons for Coogler’s decision to cut Okoye’s scene. One, Okoye’s political battle to rise as Queen, even with supporters backing her, wouldn’t have been received well after Ramonda’s death. Two, the plotline sprouting from her climb to becoming Wakanda’s queen would’ve led to a longer movie, which was already well over 2.5 hours.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever already made a script change after the sad passing away of Chadwick Boseman. The filmmaker decided to go with the current script after Boseman, and Black Panther, passed away. If Okoye had taken the path to challenge Shuri, her Midnight Angels arc and the developing spinoff series wouldn’t have been possible.
But maybe Coogler could recycle this scene in a different setting in a possible Black Panther 3. At the end of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, M’Baku shows interest in challenging Shuri for the throne. So, who knows, maybe Okoye will consider the traditional challenge once the Jabari leader is on the Wakandan Throne.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit Disney+ on February 1, 2023, and it won’t have this deleted scene in it, but we’re definitely watching it again.
About Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is an upcoming American superhero film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. It will serve as the sequel to Black Panther (2018) and will be the 30th film in the MCU. The film is being written and directed by Ryan Coogler.
Wakanda grieves the loss of their King T’Challa as the nation deals with opening up their technology to the world. But apart from the diplomatic agencies’ onslaught, Wakanda must face yet another danger as the king of Talcon, an underwater nation like DC’s Atlantis, Namor, has declared war on Wakanda.
Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, and Angela Bassett will star in the film, which will premiere on November 11, 2022.
Source: IGN
No Comments on Black Panther 2’s Deleted Scenes Show Okoye Was Almost Wakanda’s Queen