Ryan Coogler just opened up about one of his biggest regrets from filming the first Black Panther movie.
In a candid new interview with The Hollywood Reporter, the acclaimed director revealed how working with the late Chadwick Boseman taught him lessons he’ll carry for life.
While promoting his latest film Sinners—which just broke records with its Oscar nominations—Coogler reflected on his time with Boseman and admitted he didn’t fully appreciate those precious moments.
What he learned from that experience might change how you approach your own life’s biggest moments.
The Regret That Still Haunts Him
Coogler was brutally honest about his mindset during the first Black Panther production. At just 30 years old, he was helming what would become a cultural phenomenon—and the pressure nearly broke him.
I was about 30 years old, stressed, completely out of my mind, sleep-deprived, convinced that the movie wasn’t going to work.
That anxiety came at a steep cost. Coogler admits he robbed himself of truly enjoying the privilege of working with Boseman.
Even of sitting there and enjoying the countless Chadwick Boseman takes, because he didn’t have a bad take. So when he passed, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, how much stuff have I not allowed myself to enjoy because I was in my own head — feeling like I was unworthy?’
Boseman’s tragic death from cancer in 2020 sent shockwaves around the world. His passing left Marvel Studios without their T’Challa for the planned sequel, ultimately leading to the decision not to recast but instead honor his legacy.
Lessons From Chad: Fighting Impostor Syndrome
The director’s reflection reveals something many high achievers struggle with: impostor syndrome. Even while creating groundbreaking cinema, Coogler couldn’t shake feelings of unworthiness.
I’m going to take the lessons from Chad for the rest of my life, bro. That includes all of this. I have to see the good in things, see the value in things, and not let impostor syndrome or guilt or negativity rob me of moments with my cast, who I love — or with folks who want to say, ‘Hey, good job.’
Coogler’s transformation shows how grief can become a teacher. Losing Boseman forced him to confront what really matters—being present and grateful for extraordinary moments instead of drowning in self-doubt.
This mindset shift didn’t just affect his personal life. It fundamentally changed how he approached filmmaking going forward.
Creating From Heartbreak: Wakanda Forever
When Coogler returned to direct Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in 2022, everything had changed. Making a sequel without its star—and close friend—presented challenges nobody should face.
We had to work from the place of being brokenhearted, or else it wouldn’t have got done. Me and Chad were getting closer, so it was like a wound to the heart. It was like somebody had taken the sun away and we were all these planets floating.
Yet something powerful emerged from that pain. Coogler discovered reserves of resilience he didn’t know existed.
I learned that I was more resilient than I give myself credit for — I’ll say that was the biggest thing.
The sequel found its own special place in viewers’ hearts. Coogler noted something fascinating: people watch Wakanda Forever at home more than the original film.
People may be watching when they want to feel something specific.
That “something specific” is likely the film’s meditation on grief, loss, and continuing forward—themes that resonated universally after the global pandemic.
Recognition and What Comes Next
The original Black Panther made history with its Best Picture Oscar nomination and won three Academy Awards for Best Costume Design, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design.
Now Coogler’s Sinners has received record-breaking Oscar nominations. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige believes this could finally be Coogler’s moment for personal recognition.
The music was incredibly meaningful to me, and I told Ryan that my jaw was on the floor. It should win best picture for that alone.
Feige added praise for how the Academy recognized Sinners as relevant for today’s audiences—something he feels doesn’t always happen.
Meanwhile, Black Panther 3 is confirmed as Coogler’s next project. The threequel is rumored for an early 2028 release following Avengers: Secret Wars.
The Bigger Picture: Presence Over Perfection
Coogler’s story carries universal wisdom beyond Hollywood. How many of us miss precious moments because we’re trapped in worry about outcomes?
His experience offers actionable insights for anyone facing high-pressure situations:
- Recognize impostor syndrome for what it is: Self-doubt that robs you of joy in your achievements
- Practice gratitude in real-time: Don’t wait for loss to appreciate what you have
- Allow yourself to receive praise: Deflecting compliments diminishes both your work and others’ generosity
- Understand that perfectionism steals presence: Being “in your head” means missing what’s happening around you
- Trust your resilience: You’re likely stronger than you give yourself credit for
Boseman’s legacy lives on not just through his iconic performances, but through how he influenced those around him. His commitment to excellence without sacrificing joy taught Coogler to find balance.
In the sequel, Shuri inherited the Black Panther mantle after T’Challa’s off-screen death. She’s set to continue as the hero in Avengers: Doomsday before eventually passing it to T’Challa’s son, Toussaint (also known as T’Challa II).
But perhaps Coogler inherited something more valuable: permission to be present, to celebrate achievements as they happen, and to see value in moments that can never be reclaimed once they pass.
That might be the most important lesson anyone can learn—whether you’re directing blockbusters or simply trying to navigate daily life with more awareness and less anxiety.