While the storyline for the sequel has been a hot topic for fans since Chadwick’s passing, director Ryan Coogler and producer Nate Moore knew that making women the focus was imperative for the film.

"It's not about pushing women forward or holding men back; it's about telling the story that is organic," Nate said at a press event via ScreenRant. "I think sometimes, maybe from the outside, there's a thought that there are agendas at play. But it's just telling good stories, and we are blessed with an amazing cast who breathes life into these characters and makes you want to see what's happening with Shuri or what's happening with Okoye or what's happening with Lupita or what's happened with Ramonda.”

Ryan also added that it makes perfect sense to focus on the characters closest to the person who’s no longer with us.

“I will say that M'Baku [played by Winston Duke] was in this movie more than he was in the first Black Panther; probably like a two-to-one ratio, and probably twice as many scenes as he got in the first one,” Ryan added. “He's there, but Nate's absolutely right. When you lose somebody, there's a blast radius. It's like a bomb that goes off, and who was the closest to it? That's who we explored."

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres on Disney Plus on February 1, 2023.