The first trailer for Eyes of Wakanda, a limited four-episode animated series executive produced by Ryan Coogler, the director of Black Panther, has been released ahead of its Disney+ premiere on August 1. This series explores the rich history of Wakanda, the fictional African nation central to Coogler’s Marvel films.
Exploring the Legacy of Wakanda Through New Stories
Eyes of Wakanda focuses on the courageous Wakandan warriors known as the Hatut Zaraze, whose missions take them across the globe as they seek to recover powerful Vibranium artifacts from hostile forces. The series delves into these ancient defenders’ heroic exploits, expanding the lore beyond what has been seen in the movies. One description of the show states,
“the adventures of brave Wakandan warriors throughout history. In this globe-trotting adventure, the heroes must carry-out dangerous missions to retrieve Vibranium artifacts from the enemies of Wakanda. They are the Hatut Zaraze and this is their story.”
Voice Cast and Creative Team Behind the Series
The animated show features a versatile voice cast including Winnie Harlow, Cress Williams, Patricia Belcher, Larry Herron, Adam Gold, Lynn Whitfield, Jacques Colimon, Jona Xiao, Isaac Robinson-Smith, Gary Anthony Williams, Zeke Alton, Steve Toussaint, and Anika Noni Rose. The series is directed and executive produced by Todd Harris, who has worked on the Black Panther films as a storyboard artist and illustrator. Ryan Coogler serves as an executive producer alongside Brad Winderbaum, Kevin Feige, Louis D’Esposito, and Dana Vasquez-Eberhardt.
Wakanda’s Continued Presence in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Wakanda last appeared prominently in 2022’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, which expanded the Marvel Cinematic Universe by introducing the underwater kingdom of Atlantis while continuing to follow key characters like Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, and Martin Freeman. Beyond the films, Wakandan characters have appeared in other MCU properties, including the Disney+ series The Falcon and The Winter Soldier. Notably, Florence Kasumba reprises her role as Ayo, the second-in-command of the Dora Milaje, who was introduced in Captain America: Civil War.
The Series as Part of a Larger Partnership with Disney
Eyes of Wakanda marks the first production under a multi-year overall television deal between Ryan Coogler’s Proximity production company and The Walt Disney Company. This arrangement signals more upcoming TV projects related to the MCU in development, aiming to further deepen the world Coogler has helped establish.
With its focus on Wakandan history and the legendary Hatut Zaraze warriors, Eyes of Wakanda looks set to enrich the Marvel universe’s mythology while highlighting heroic tales from Wakanda’s past. The series will likely contribute to expanding fan understanding of the cultural and strategic importance of Vibranium as well as Wakanda’s global interactions, paving the way for future storytelling in the franchise.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What is Ryan Coogler’s religion?
A. Religion is a new idea in Coogler’s movies, but he believes it is present in all his films. He grew up Baptist and went to Catholic schools. Three of his grandparents passed away before he was born, and he was intrigued by how his parents described staying connected with them.
