Draft:Eyes of Wakanda

Eyes of Wakanda is an upcoming American animated television miniseries created by Todd Harris for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics location Wakanda. It is intended to be one of the television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios, via its Marvel Animation label, alongside Proximity Media, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. It follows Wakandan warriors who retrieve vibranium artifacts throughout history and T'Challa's ancestors, with Harris serving as director.

In February 2021, Ryan Coogler's overall deal between Disney and Proximity Media was announced. An animated series was revealed to be in development in March 2023, and was officially announced as Eyes of Wakanda in December 2023. Harris's involvement was revealed in March 2024. Unlike Marvel Animation's other series to that point, Eyes of Wakanda has greater connection with the other properties of the MCU, existing within various points of the franchise's Sacred Timeline.

Eyes of Wakanda is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in 2024.

Premise
Eyes of Wakanda follows Wakandan warriors who have traveled the world to retrieve dangerous vibranium artifacts throughout history and T'Challa's ancestors passing down the mantle of Black Panther.

Development
Ryan Coogler, writer and director of the Marvel Studios films Black Panther (2018) and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022), announced in February 2021 a five-year television deal between his company Proximity Media and Walt Disney Television. The deal included development of a drama series for the streaming service Disney+ based in the fictional country of Wakanda, the setting of the Black Panther films. Coogler was developing the series with Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige, Louis D'Esposito, and Victoria Alonso. Richard Newby at The Hollywood Reporter opined that the series could expand the mythos of Wakanda while also being a continuing tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who portrayed T'Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) until his death in August 2020. Newby said the series could explore Winston Duke's M'Baku and the Jabari Tribe, given Duke was one of Black Panther breakout performers; Erik "Killmonger" Stevens's mercenary past; T'Challa's father T'Chaka and his time as Black Panther; or the Dora Milaje, Wakanda's all-female fighters. Newby also noted comic book characters that the series could introduce to the MCU, such as the first Black Panther, Bashenga; teenage-activist Queen Divine Justice who joins the Dora Milaje; or NYPD officer Kasper Cole / White Tiger.

By November 2022, Proximity Media was developing several series set in Wakanda. In March 2023, journalist Jeff Sneider reported that Coogler and Disney were developing an animated series with the tentative title The Golden City, referring to the Wakandan capital city Birnin Zana; a production listing gave Golden City as the working title for the initial Wakanda-set drama series. The following month, Marvel Studios executive Nate Moore said the studio had discussed multiple ideas for featuring Black Panther characters in Disney+ series but they did not want to detract from the "cinematic experience" of the MCU. In December, Marvel Studios Animation head Brad Winderbaum officially announced the animated series as Eyes of Wakanda, as part of a sizzle reel of the studio's 2024 series. Eyes of Wakanda explores Wakanda across different time periods, focusing on T'Challa's ancestors, past Black Panthers, and Wakandan warriors. Coogler and Proximity Media were confirmed to be involved in the animated series, and a showrunner was involved by then. Deadline Hollywood noted the potential for Eyes of Wakanda to explore the Dora Milaje and the character Okoye. IGN and ComicBook.com believed Eyes of Wakanda could be a previously-reported Okoye-led series, but it was unclear if these were the same series. Stephanie Holland at The Root compared the premise to the animated Star Wars series Tales of the Jedi, which similarly follows different characters at different times. Holland believed that Eyes of Wakanda could explore Okoye becoming a general and her relationship with W'Kabi; the history between T'Challa's parents T'Chaka and Ramonda; or Wakanda's involvement in world conflicts during different time periods.

Todd Harris was revealed in January 2024 to have pitched the series to Marvel Studios and Coogler. He previously served as a storyboard artist at Marvel Studios. Winderbaum confirmed that Harris was the creator and director of the series later that year.

Writing
Eyes of Wakanda follows the Wakandan warriors who, throughout history, have traveled the world to retrieve dangerous vibranium artifacts, and it is centered on the legacy of the Black Panther as that mantle is passed down over generations. Winderbaum said the series explores Wakanda's history and mythology, and it is set in the MCU's Sacred Timeline along with the films and live-action series. This differentiates it from many other Marvel Animation series which are usually set in alternate universes from the main MCU. Marc Bernardin, who previously worked as a writer on the video game Marvel 1943: Rise of Hydra, wrote two episodes of the series by December 2023. He worked on them for nine months during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Animation
Early work on the animatics, along with character designs, had occurred by the series' announcement in December 2023.

Marketing
Eyes of Wakanda is expected to be part of Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2024 D23 Expo.

Release
Eyes of Wakanda is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in 2024.