Draft:Into the Lion's Den

"**Into the Lion's Den**"
"Into the Lion's Den"
Eyes of Wakanda episode
Episode no.	Season 1; Episode 1
Directed by	Todd Harris
Written by	Geoffrey Thorne
Editing by	John K. Carr
Cast
	Winnie Harlow as Noni; Cress Williams as Nkati / The Lion; Patricia Belcher as Akeya; Henri Lubatti as Lion Guard 1; Pej Vahdat as Lion Guard 2; Walles Hamonde as Lion Guard 3, Guardian 1; Charles Fathy as Lion Guard 4, Guardian 2; Christie Bahna as Lion Guard 5, Young Woman; Stephanie Hayes as Shieldmaiden; Shadon Meredith as Samoan Warrior; Brent Mukai as Ronin Swordsman; Aidan Bristow as Defender, Prisoner;
	List of episodes

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"Into the Lion's Den" is the first episode of the American animated television series Eyes of Wakanda, based on the fictional nation of Wakanda from Marvel Comics, created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The episode, set in 1260 B.C., cebters around Noni, a former Dora Milaje who is tasked wkth tracking down a former Wakandan general known as "the Lion". It is set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, sharing continuity with the films of the franchise. The episode is directed by showrunner Todd Harris, and written by Geoffrey Thorne.

Plot

In 1260 BC, Noni, a former Dora Milaje who was denited from her position for disobeying orders, is tasked by her mentor Akeya with a mission to hunt down and capture a rogue Hatut Zaraze agent named Nkati, who has defied all previous efforts to apprehend him. Akeya fears that Nkati will share Wakandan technology to outsiders, exposing the kingdom's true nature.

Calling himself the "Lion", Nkati plans to create the "Pride of the Lion", an independent state populated by abducted men and women from across the world. Noni allows herself to be captured during a raid on Minoan Crete. After hijacking a ship and freeing the other captives, Noni infiltrates Nkati's deep-sea complex. After surviving attacks from several trained warriors, Noni confronts and subsequently defeats him in a duel, although she loses an eye defeating him.

Choosing to die a free man than be taken prisoner, the mortally wounded Nkati triggers a self-destruct device which destroys the entire complex. Noni survives the explosion and Akeya invites her to rejoin the Dora Milaje. With the revelation that her mission was a test, the fiercely independent Noni instead chooses to join the Hatut Zaraze.

Production

Development

In 2018, during development of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film Avengers: Infinity War (2018), storyboard artist Todd Harris pitched to Marvel Studios the idea of an animated series set around the fictional nation of Wakanda. Harris was introduced to filmmaker Ryan Coogler, who was at the time directing the MCU film Black Panther (2018), which features Wakanda as its main location.^[1] In 2021, Coogler signed a deal with The Walt Disney Company to produce television series through his company, Proximity Media, including series set in Wakanda alongside Marvel Studios for Disney+.^[2] Around the same time, Marvel Studios formed its own animation branch, Marvel Studios Animation, and approached Harris about moving forward with his idea.^[1]

Writing

Casting

Animation

Release

"Into the Lion's Den" premiered at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 9, 2025.^[3] The episode first aired on Disney+ on August 1, 2025.^[4]

References

1 2 Jones, Tamera; Weintraub, Steven (June 18, 2025). "'Eyes of Wakanda' Showrunner Explains the Time-Traveling Plot of the 'Black Panther' Prequel Series". Collider. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
↑ Jr, Mike Fleming (February 1, 2021). "'Black Panther' Helmer Ryan Coogler Stakes His Proximity Media Banner To 5-Year Exclusive Disney Television Deal; Wakanda Series In Works For Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
↑ Campbell, Kambole (June 9, 2025). "Marvel Animation Premieres First Episode of 'Eyes of Wakanda' at France's Annecy Animation Festival". Variety. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.
↑ Romano, Nick (July 24, 2025). "Eyes of Wakanda creator talks expanding the world of Black Panther, as animated show gets early premiere (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.

External links

"Into the Lion's Den" at IMDb

[:0-1] 1 2 Jones, Tamera; Weintraub, Steven (June 18, 2025). "'Eyes of Wakanda' Showrunner Explains the Time-Traveling Plot of the 'Black Panther' Prequel Series". Collider. Retrieved July 24, 2025.

[2] Jr, Mike Fleming (February 1, 2021). "'Black Panther' Helmer Ryan Coogler Stakes His Proximity Media Banner To 5-Year Exclusive Disney Television Deal; Wakanda Series In Works For Disney+". Deadline. Retrieved July 24, 2025.

[VarietyAnnecy-3] Campbell, Kambole (June 9, 2025). "Marvel Animation Premieres First Episode of 'Eyes of Wakanda' at France's Annecy Animation Festival". Variety. Archived from the original on June 10, 2025. Retrieved June 9, 2025.

[NewReleaseDate2-4] Romano, Nick (July 24, 2025). "Eyes of Wakanda creator talks expanding the world of Black Panther, as animated show gets early premiere (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on July 24, 2025. Retrieved July 24, 2025.

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