Wakanda Series In The Works At Disney+

A series that will be set in Wakanda is in development at Disney Plus. The show is a part of a new multi-year television deal.

Ryan Coogler and his Proximity Media have signed with The Walt Disney Company and will include other television projects in the future. Ryan has previously directed and co-written the hit Marvel film, Black Panther which takes place in a fictional African nation of Wakanda.

The director is currently working on the upcoming installment of the movie. The deal will also enable Proximity to develop more shows for other divisions of the Walt Disney Company as well. Proximity’s principals Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, Ludwig Goransson, Archie Davis, and Peter Nicks will also be with Ryan.

Executive chairman of The Walt Disney Company, Bob Iger said that Ryan is a “singular storyteller whose vision and range have made him one of the standout filmmakers of his generation”. He further noted how with Black Panther, he brought a groundbreaking story and iconic characters to life.

Ryan did that in “a real, meaningful and memorable way, created a watershed cultural moment”. Bob said, “ We’re thrilled to strengthen our relationship and look forward to telling more great stories with Ryan and his team.”

If the Wakanda project will go into series, it will be the latest show out of the many which will be set within the Marvel Cinematic Universe as it makes its way to Disney Plus. The streaming platform recently launched its first show of the MCU, WandaVision with Falcon and Winter Soldier and Loki in the line.

MCU’s Expansion At Disney+

Other projects within the MCU include Hawkeye, Moon Knight, She-Hulk, Ms. Marvel. There are also shows which focus on Nick Fury played by Samuel L. Jackson; the character War Machine played by Don Cheadle; Dominique Thorne starring in Ironheart.

Ryan shared it as an honor to be partnering with The Walt Disney Company. He expressed how working with them on Black Panther was a dream come true. The creator said, “As avid consumers of television, we couldn’t be happier to be launching our television business with Bob Iger, Dana Walden, and all the amazing studios under the Disney umbrella.

He further said, “We look forward to learning, growing; and building a relationship with audiences all over the world through the Disney platforms. We are especially excited that we will be taking our first leap with Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito; Victoria Alonso, and their partners at Marvel Studios; where we will be working closely with them on select MCU shows for Disney+. We’re already in the mix on some projects that we can’t wait to share.”

The deal was negotiated on behalf of Proximity Media by WME, Charles King of M88, and Jonathan Gardner, Esq. of Cohen & Gardner.

Black Panther was a super hit movie for Disney and Marvel as it earned nearly $1.35 billion worldwide. The film had taken on the increased meaning of late after the sudden death of the main lead, Chadwick Boseman. The actor had colon cancer and was fighting for five years.