Before Ryan Coogler helmed the blockbuster Black Panther, there was a moment when Antoine Fuqua’s creative prowess was under consideration. Fuqua, the man behind gritty thrillers like Training Day and The Equalizer, might have painted a distinctly different Panther on the silver screen.
Though Coogler’s Black Panther stands triumphant, capturing hearts and imaginations worldwide, this alternate Black Panther, conceived before Marvel Studios solidified its current form, could have been a fascinating exploration of the character through a different lens. And Fuqua would have cast one Oscar winner as the King of Wakanda.
Antoine Fuqua wanted to Cast Denzel Washington for his Black Panther Film
Antoine Fuqua once was in consideration for helming a Black Panther movie far removed from the vibrant, fantastical world brought to life by Ryan Coogler. Fuqua’s vision, rooted in his signature gritty realism, would have offered a unique take on the iconic superhero.
On The Stephen A. Smith Show, Fuqua once shared:
“I think God has a path for us all. You know, there was a lot of talk a while ago about me doing Black Panther, but that was way before it was popular to be black in Hollywood. And, you know, the cartoon version of it wasn’t appealing to me. You know, I just grew up watching Apocalypse Now and Goodfellas and Mean Streets and those type of films. I like things a little more gritty and grounded. I believe that opportunity wasn’t missed. ’cause it wasn’t for me. It was for Ryan Coogler. And Ryan killed it.”
Uncover the potential cast that Fuqua had in mind for Black Panther. Fuqua expressed his desire to cast notable actors like Denzel Washington, Jamie Foxx, Wesley Snipes, and Will Smith.
“With the right script, absolutely! As for casting, I’d always go straight for Denzel, if you’re talking about a certain type of character,” Fuqua said in a 2013 interview with The Urban Daily. “Jamie Foxx, Wesley Snipes, Will Smith – we’ve got a handful of guys who are very powerful actors. We have lots of talented African-American actors we’ve never even heard of.”
Black Panther grossed over $1.3 billion globally and became the ninth-highest-grossing movie at the time of its release.
Denzel Washington Became Very Emotional While Watching Black Panther
Denzel Washington’s emotional journey while watching Black Panther goes beyond mere admiration. He shared a profound connection with the film, expressing how it felt like being part of a relay race, witnessing the realization of his dreams through the young actors on screen. The Training Day actor revealed his sentiments, stating:
“I said man, look at these young boys man, and I actually just started, I was whew. You know, Sidney, to now? And I’m in the gap — and me and many others – are in the gap, but it was like, man. I felt like the third leg of the relay race. Like, here, go. Now, I ran behind them – I’m still running. But I was like, man, they gone. They’re gone.” (Via Cinema Blend)
Chadwick Boseman, the late lead actor in Black Panther, credited Washington, asserting that without him, there would be no Black Panther.
Black Panther is available on Disney+.
