As with pretty much every movie, there are some scenes that never make it to the final cut. Michael Shawver, who edited
Black Panther, has detailed two big scenes that were cut, including a key moment between Okoye and W'Kabi. Here's what he told
The Wrap:
Hands down the most painful scene to cut was [one] with Danai Gurira and Daniel Kaluuya. Toward the end, after things go bad and Killmonger is in control and all that, we're talking about, what are they going to do? What is Wakanda going to become?
Those are two powerhouse actors and it was an incredible scene with so many layers to it – boyfriend and girlfriend, it was general and her advisor, all those things. That was painful.
At that point in the movie, it’s about two thirds through, and that’s when most movies drag. Ours was taking a while to get to that point.
Perhaps the movie could've benefited from this scene considering that Okoye and W'Kabi's relationship barely played out in the film. Marvel Studios producer, Nate Moore, also previously detailed the same scene. Explaining that apparently, both he and, Ryan Coogler adamently wanted it to remain:
Unfortunately, it occurred at a point in the movie where audiences just wanted to get to the resolution and so it slowed down a part of the movie and we were afraid audiences were checking out. We were also afraid if we took it out we’re going to ruin this movie—‘guys we’re going to ruin this movie; let’s not take it out.’ We didn’t take it out for three or four screenings and we finally took it out and I think Ryan and I were probably the last men on that beach saying don’t take it out.
Another scene which didn't make the cut was one between T'Challa and Zuri, as Shawver explains:
There's a scene between Chadwick and Forest's characters which sets up their relationship. It sort of lets you attach yourself to their father-son dynamic so that later on in the film... you really feel more.
Black Panther's story still resonated with audiences regardless of these scenes' inclusion though you can't help but wonder how they might have enhanced it even further. We'll be getting to see these scenes once the movie releases on DVD and Blu-ray later this year.
What do you think about these deleted scenes? Could we have done with another T'Challa and Zuri scene? Do you think Okoye and W'Kabi's relationship needed to be further reinforced?