Fans recently learned that not only would actress Danai Gurira be reprising her role as Okoye in multiple future MCU projects, including, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but in an unspecified “origin spinoff series” premiering on Disney+ as well.
There has been much confusion about whether this spinoff show was the same one announced last February, referred to as a drama based in the Kingdom of Wakanda.
However, more information about this seems to have been lost in the shuffle. One outlet made a confident distinction that this would indeed be for a new spinoff series.
OKOYE WILL HAVE AN ORIGIN SPIN-OFF
Deadline reported that Danai Gurira would be reprising the character of Okoye on Disney+ in her own spin-off show and also commented that it's likely Gurira will also be appearing in Black Panther director Ryan Coogler's Wakanda-based Disney+ series as well
This implies that the spinoff starring Danai Gurira is a completely new show and will be separate from the Kingdom of Wakanda series announced in early 2021.
ALL BETS ON BLACK PANTHER
Marvel Studios and Disney are heavily invested in the Black Panther franchise which comes to no surprise as it is a global cultural sensation and financial success. In addition, a Disneyland Wakanda expansion is on the table and Disney's cruise ship, Disney Wish, will feature multiple Marvel superheroes including Black Panther and the location of Wakanda.
As for what this new spin-off show starring Okoye will be about, considering Deadline cited it as an origin show, it will presumably tell the story of how Okoye joined the Dora Milaje or, at least, her early days in the order serving King T'Chaka.
It will be interesting to see if Lupita Nyong'o's Nakia will be part of the show, too. However, she was a member of the War Dogs faction and not the Dora Milaje.
Although Nakia could have started as a Dora Milaje alongside Okoye, she became a War Dog later. It would at least help give potential backstory for Nakia, too.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is currently scheduled to release in theaters on July 8, 2022.
