Marvel announced its first foray into the world of podcasts with six episodes looking at the making of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Proximity Media, co-founded by Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, will collaborate with Marvel Studios and Marvel Entertainment on the project. According to the press release, the six-episode Wakanda Forever: The Official Black Panther Podcast delves into the story of the new film as well as honoring the late Chadwick Boseman's legacy. Ta-Nehisi Coates, an award-winning journalist and writer for the Marvel comics Black Panther series, serves as host and writer on the podcast. Paola Mardo, Head of Audio at Proximity Media, produces the podcast and executive produces alongside the company's founders, Coogler, Zinzi Coogler and Sev Ohanian.
Behind the Scenes of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
The first episode premieres on Nov. 3, featuring a conversation between Ryan Coogler and Coates. The pair discuss the cultural impact of Black Panther and how Boseman's legacy inspired the cast and crew of the film. While the first episode airs ahead of Wakanda Forever's premiere, the rest of the podcast releases in January 2023. The remaining five episodes include conversations with some of the film's stars, including Angela Bassett and Dominique Thorne, composer Ludwig Göransson, production designer Hannah Beachler, co-writer Joe Robert Cole, Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige and Vice President Nate Moore, among others.
"Ever since Ryan, Zinzi, and Sev entrusted Proximity's Audio division with this project, our goal has been to tell the story of the making of 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' with as much heart and authenticity as the film itself," Mardo said. "With our premiere episode, we've accomplished this goal while breaking new ground in the process, thanks to the awesome collaboration between our incredible host Ta-Nehisi Coates, our talented podcast production team, and our collaborators at Marvel and Disney."
Introducing Namor and Ironheart to the MCU
Wakanda Forever continues the story of the Black Panther with a new hero taking up the mantle after Boseman's tragic passing, a death mirrored in the film. The film also introduces two fan-favorites from the comics in Namor the Submariner (Tenoch Huerta) and Riri Williams/Ironheart (Thorne). The film introduces Namor as a powerful mutant and leader of the underwater kingdom Talocan. This changes his home from the lost city of Atlantis to a Mayan and Aztec-inspired city named after the Aztec paradise of Tlālōcān. Riri, meanwhile, matches Wakanda's Shuri for brilliance, creating her own Iron Man-like suit to help in the country's battle against Talocan.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on Nov. 11.
Source: Proximity Media