Black Panther (Unofficial)

Cast

Black Panther/T’Challa: Chadwick Boseman
Man-Ape/M’Baku:
Hunter the White Wolf/N’Jadaka:
Dunham/American Best Friend:
Lindsay/American Girlfriend:
Zuri/King’s Regent:
Black Panther/T’Chaka:
Romanda/Step-Mother:
Shuri/Sister:

Prologue

King T’Chaka is meeting with his most trusted advisor, Zuri and his son’s childhood best friend, N'Jadaka now the captain of the Wakandan secret police, the Hatut Zeraze. Zuri warns him that the M’Baku (Man-Ape) is threatening to invade again with the support of the outlying clans.

Zuri advises the king to contact T’Challa and have him return so the bloodline is secure. T’Chaka balks, saying he never meant for his son to bear that burden.

N'Jadaka lingers behind while Zuri shakes his head and faces a window. T’Chaka prepares to confront M’Baku in single combat to avoid war. N'Jadaka subtly poisons the magic herbs that grant T’Chaka the power of his ancestors, the Black Panther clan.

He is found out by the Zuri after T’Chaka leaves. N'Jadaka attempts to kill, but only wounds. Zuri escapes out the window to find T’Challa.

Act 1

T’Chaka’s strength rapidly drains as he squares off against M’Baku. Despite his handicap, he is able to gain an advantage and press a successful attack. Until, once again, N’Jadaka intercedes and surreptitiously doses T’Chaka with a second helping of poison, feigning to aid his king back to his feet.

T’Chaka: NO! If you aid me, my victory means nothing. War will be upon us.

N'Jadaka: But I’m not aiding you my king, I’m aiding him.

M’Baku delivers a cruel blow, T’Chaka falls to the ground.

M’Baku: I will be a good king T’Chaka. I will marry your daughter and secure your line. Rest easy. The only obstacle left in my way is your wayward son. I promise you a quick and merciful death for him.

T’Chaka: Stay. Away. From my son!

With his last gasp, T’Chaka throttles the M’Baku, nearly killing him before the poison finishes its work. The crowd is confused over the strange turn of events, but N'Jadaka is quick to swear loyalty to the M’Baku

N'Jadaka: To avoid war, we must accept this. All I ask is you be a just and kind ruler now that you have won the crown through trial by combat.

M’Baku: I will! And T’Chaka shall have a burial befitting his incredible station in life. The King is dead! Long live the King!

Cut to

T’Challa is a professional baseball player on the west coast. He has several advanced degrees in the sciences as well. He’s nearly as gifted without enhancement as his father was with the heart-shaped herbs, only lacking supernatural strength, dexterity and enhanced senses. After a game, he is approached in the locker room by the Zuri.

T’Challa: Why are you here?

Zuri: I have grave news young prince. Your father has fallen in a champion’s battle for the crown of Wakanda. It is up to you to avenge him, to regain the crown and save your family.

T’Challa balks at the task set before him, he becomes angry, denouncing his father’s decision to leave him stranded in America, away from his friends, his family, his people, his proper station and the benefits of it.

T’Challa: I am an American now. Wakanda has cast me out. Let them suffer for their mistake. Let them reap what they have sewn.

Zuri: Your father would be ashamed to hear you say that. Regardless of what his reasons were, you must believe that he did it for your own good or YOU will be lost to all the glory that is yours by birth.

T’Challa leaves the locker room, smashing lights and kicking over equipment as he goes. His best friend and teammate, Dunham sees his distress and tries to comfort him.

Dunham: My dad left too. But you know what, he started coming to all our games last season. Paid out of his own pocket, never asked me for anything. One day I found him and asked if he had seen me get a double. He told me all he ever saw was me. He just got confused about what was important, he thought if I really needed him, I’d find him. He was right. I needed him to see how well I was doing. And he was there. Every game for two years now. I put him in the box seats with the rest of the families. He drives this shitty old RV to every game. I guess that’s how he wants to spend his retirement. I offered to put him up in a hotel, fly him out for away games, but he said it was important for him to get there by himself, to prove to himself he was a good father. I told him tonight he was a good father and he’s flying first class to Oakland to watch us play, leaving the RV at the park. We’re gonna be at the same hotel. First roof we ever shared that I can remember.

T’Challa: My father is dead.

T’Challa arrives at his apartment where he is ambushed by the Hatut Zeraze, the secret police of Wakanda. He fights them off with a baseball bat, but more arrive and he is in danger of being overrun.

Zuri: For T’Chaka!

Leaping into the fray, the tide quickly turns and the Hatut Zeraze disappear into the night using Wakandan technology to become invisible. They even drag their unconscious/dead allies away as well.

Zuri: Cowards. All of them. They dare not leave a trace of their passing because they know what they do is wrong and Wakanda has always had strong allies in America. It is no longer safe here for you. I will guard you for one more day to set your affairs in order. Then we must leave.

Begrudgingly, T’Challa spends the day arranging a leave of absence for mourning from the San Francisco Giants. Tells his girlfriend, Lindsay they have to break up and confesses to Dunham that he’s flying back to Wakanda to assume his father’s throne.

Dunham: Wait a minute. Throne? Like the lion king?

T’Challa: No, more like a Black Panther King.

Dunham: So you’re a militant activist?

T’Challa: No, I’m a prince.

Dunham: This is pertinent information to our friendship, why did you wait so long to tell me?

T’Challa: I assure you, it has no influence on our friendship. It’s just who my family is. In fact, you’re sort of a de-facto prince just by being in my proximity. You should visit sometime, Wakanda is… beautiful.

Dunham: It’s home.

T’Challa: Yes. I’ve tried to forget it, but yes… it is home.

Dunham: Well, I’m taking a leave of absence too.

T’Challa: You can’t!

Dunham: Dude, I’m like third string utility player, you’re an all-star. Like five guys have to break their legs before they even look at me. I tell them you need me, they’ll call someone up and he’ll sit on the bench for me and they’re probably going to send him packing when we get back just so you can sit next to your best friend when you aren’t smashing the ball.

T’Challa: It is dangerous to be my friend right now.

Dunham: Yeah, but it also sounds like I’m going to get laid a lot too.

They laugh and T’Challa shakes his head. They compromise by agreeing he can see him off at the airport.

Back in Wakanda, an elaborate funeral is held for T’Chaka as M’Baku lords his power over his subjects. After the funeral, he demands Shuri submit to marriage to merge the Black Panther and Mountain Ape clans as one to rule Wakanda. She reluctantly agrees to spare M’Baku’s second choice, her mother Romanda, the pain of sharing a bed with her husband’s murderer.

At the airport, T’Challa’s girlfriend, Lindsay shows up as well.

Dunham: Dude, I had to tell her, she was so mad. She told me she’d wait until you got back to talk to you.

T’Challa: Do you believe everything a woman tells you?

Dunham: Just the hot ones.

T’Challa: And that is what you learned from your formerly deadbeat father?

Dunham: Well, when you put it that way… I’m pretty stupid.

Zuri: Enough of this foolishness. T’Challa, you have grave family matters to attend to, we waste time on these childish relationships.

Lindsay is upset at being dismissed and the party moves as a whole to a private tarmac where a Stark jet is waiting.

Zuri: Your grandfather was very close to Howard Stark. They respected each other’s privacy and only helped when asked. That is how a man conducts himself.

This sets the girlfriend off more.

Zuri: Fine, very well then. That is how an adult conducts themselves.

This makes her angrier. The group is attacked on the tarmac. Zuri stays behind.

Zuri: The pilot knows where to take you! Be the king you were born to be, T’Challa. I will meet you in Wakanda.

Back in Wakanda, M’Baku is berating Wolf the Hunter for his multiple failures to assassinate T’Challa. M’Baku decrees if T’Challa returns from the Sacred Mountain, Wolf will be put to death.

T’Challa and his friends are taken to the sacred mountain where the pilot (revealed to be James Rhodes) drops them off with a care package.

Rhodes: With compliments from Tony Stark. You’ll need it. They told me to tell you: Your father has already paid for it in full.

The box is opened to reveal a state of the art Black Panther suit. T’Challa leaves his friends behind.

T’Challa: I must climb this mountain alone. If you follow me, it will most likely mean death for us all.

Dunham: I’ll keep her here.

T’Challa: I highly doubt that. Lindsay, if you love me, you must remain here and wait for me. Only a feckless child would follow me. I want you to be my queen, but a queen must know when to stand aside for the king.

T’Challa faces the trials of the sacred mountains and the Hatut Zeraze who have laid in wait for him. He claims the herbs. He changes the Stark Tech suit for the traditional garb of the Black Panther belonging to his grandfather, his father’s has yet to be placed, so he leaves the Stark Tech to hold it down.

T’Challa: I will return Grandfather, to lay your son, my father to rest. Please allow me to borrow your ceremonial garb until then.

T’Challa begins his descent, empowered by the herbs and protected by the spirits of past kings. Unfortunately, his party back at camp have been captured and are being held by the Hatut Zeraze, led by N’Jadaka.

The Black Panther uses stealth, cunning and wits to take down the Hatut Zeraze. In the end, he squares off against his childhood friend.

Black Panther: You have lost your way. Your jealousy has made you blind to the truth.

N'Jadaka: You left me, T’Challa. You are a prince, you could have stayed. You let your father exile you.

Black Panther: So you hate me for trusting my father? That is insanity.

N'Jadaka: I was left behind to carry your burden. To be a son to a father who would never love me, never accept me. I was used!

Black Panther: You chose to join the Hatut Zeraze. You were given status befitting your abilities and trusted above all others.

N'Jadaka: I should be KING!

Black Panther: So you install a tyrant? Do you plan to betray him as well someday? When does the lie end? When do you see the truth of your actions?

N'Jadaka: When you die.

Black Panther: I refuse your terms. You will be raised up into the nobility. You will be inducted into my house, officially. I will call you brother and you will lead my armies. But you must first stand trial for your crimes against Wakanda.

N'Jadaka: You would judge me?

Black Panther: I am King. Mine is the only judgment you need recognize. If you cannot accept that, then you have no place in Wakanda. I will grant you the boon of choosing your own terms.

N'Jadaka: I would have trial by combat. To the-

Black Panther: Do not test me, brother, I will keep my word before I spare your life.

N'Jadaka: I… cannot choose the terms. I am angry, not thinking clearly. I’ve been angry so long.

Black Panther: Then let us fight for honor, brother. First blood is the victor. Clemency for you, brotherhood and atonement for me. Either way, you will serve Wakanda again. Do you accept these terms?

N'Jadaka: They are… more than I deserve.

Black Panther: No brother, before the sickness fell upon you, you served Wakanda with honor and diligence. It was my father’s mistake not to accept you into the family. It was your mistake to accept M’Baku into yours.

They fight and Black Panther quickly becomes the clear winner, but before cutting him, he cuts himself.

Black Panther: You have won. You choose your own path now. You may stand with me or be free to seek your own destiny, in Wakanda or in the world.

N'Jadaka: You are the King. I will gladly give my life to make up for my shame and failure.

Black Panther: There is no shame or failure, you have been judged, you have paid for your crimes. Let the rest of Wakanda see that you are truly repentant. Let them see you come home.

N'Jadaka: Yes. I will fight with you. I could sneak you in…

Black Panther: We will not use the tools of the enemy. We will use the ways set down by my ancestors. They have led us to this moment and they will lead us to a lasting victory and peace, for my rule at least and hopefully for our children.

Dunham: Uh… does that mean we’re knocking on the front door?

Cut to the throne room of Man Ape, he is tormenting Black Panther’s family, but avoiding violating the laws of Wakanda.

M’Baku: Betrothed, have food brought in. I hunger and your reluctance to besmirch your honor before our wedding day is tiresome.

The doors fly off their hinges from a mighty kick.

Black Panther stands in the doorway.

Black Panther: Your reckoning has come coward. No poison. No hidden allies. Test yourself against the strength of the Black Panther. If you dare.

The two have a massive fight throughout the castle and fall through a window into the ritual combat arena. A crowd gathers quickly as the fight reaches its furious end.

Black Panther: For my father! For my people! For Wakanda!

The Man Ape lays defeated.

M’Baku: No more… I can take no more… mercy… King T’Challa… mercy and I will return to my own lands.

Black Panther: You do not deserve it. I have no doubt in my mind you will return and attempt another coup. But I do not fear you, coward. Leave. And know to return is to die. I will not grant mercy to murderers whose word means nothing.

When Black Panther turns his back, M’Baku tries to strike him with a concealed blade, but the N’jadaka leaps in front of Black Panther. T’Challa turns and delivers a coup de grace on M’Baku, he falls unconscious.

Black Panther: Lock this slime in the deepest hole in Wakanda. Set a guard on him day and night. I will check on him personally each year to mark this day. The day freedom returned to Wakanda! The day the Black Panther stood alone and was shielded by his people!

T’Challa holds the N’jadaka as he lay bleeding out.

Black Panther: I would have survived that attack. You’ve made another mistake. I do not know if our medicine can save you.

N’jadaka: No, my King. Giving my life to save yours… it was all I ever was meant to do. To reach beyond that… that is what killed me. This… is just… the mark of my honor returning.

Black Panther: Your honor returned when you followed me here to free our people. Brother. Take him to the healers! Quickly, he is of the royal blood, the general of my armies and his loss would be a great one for all of Wakanda!

The N’jadaka is hustled off. T’Challa takes off the hood and turns to face the sun. Tears run down his cheeks.

Black Panther: I am sorry I ever doubted you, Father, you taught me to walk in both worlds. You taught me more than I ever could have dreamed possible. Thank you.

Dunham: Okay… that was about the most badass thing I ever saw and I was in New Jersey when New York was invaded. I mean… damn… what is the point of playing pro ball now?

T’Challa: Because it’s fun. I think I’m going to finish the season before I move back here full time.

Dunham: That just made you like ten times cooler.

T’Challa: And that just made you like ten times dumber. I’m still just a ball player. I just went up to the big leagues. The REAL big leagues.

Dunham: Are you going to be an Avenger?

T’Challa: Maybe I’ll start my own Avengers. Want to be Iron Man?

Dunham: If there isn’t a party tonight, it’s definitely going to break me completely.

T’Challa: You haven’t seen a party until you see a Wakandan party.

Cut to 

The people of Wakanda celebrating the coronation of T’Challa. N’jadaka is there, alive, but confined to a wheelchair. He is being pushed around at inappropriate speeds by Dunham, who is very drunk and hitting on the ceremonial dancers.

Dunham: I knew him when he was just an all-star pro-baller in the states. Taught him a lot about the game, if you know what I mean.

Lindsay decides to go back to America. T’Challa says they should remain friends. Maybe someday, she’ll be ready.