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Why Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Was Therapeutic For Lupita Nyong'o
Lupita Nyong'o opens up about how filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was a therapeutic experience. The actress recently appeared at San Diego Comic-Con alongside her MCU castmates and director Ryan Coogler, where they paid tribute to late actor Chadwick Boseman and presented the trailer for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The trailer was received warmly and positively by fans, and to date, it has accumulated over 20 million views on YouTube. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is scheduled for release on November 11 and is the seventh and final film in Phase Four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Development and production for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever faced several challenges, like pandemic-related filming delays and on-set injuries sustained by actress Letitia Wright. The biggest emotional blow for the film was, of course, the tragic loss of Boseman in 2020, which sent shockwaves throughout the industry and greatly impacted the actor's Black Panther castmates, peers and fans. Almost immediately, Marvel confirmed that the role of T'Challa would not be recast, nor would Boseman be recreated with CGI. While some fans continue to call for T'Challa to be played by another actor, it seems that the decision was welcomed by Coogler and the Black Panther cast; it is said that Wakanda Forever has been made as a tribute to Boseman.
In an interview with THR at SDCC, Nyong'o talks about the challenging experience of filming Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. The Oscar-winning actress touches upon the impact of Boseman's death, and says that she and rest of the cast were still processing it while filming the sequel. Nyong'o explains:
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“To make this film against all odds is a powerful statement unto itself, and I am very proud that we did it. It was very therapeutic. It restored a sense of hope for me in making it, and I think we’ve expanded the world of Wakanda in ways that will blow people’s minds — not just Wakanda, but the Black Panther world. It’s gonna blow people’s minds, and I just cannot wait until it’s not a secret anymore.”
Florence Kasumba, who plays Dora Milaje member Ayo, also makes similar remarks and states that watching the first Black Panther: Wakanda Forever trailer was an emotional experience. The heavy toll experienced by the cast while filming the sequel is a testament to Boseman's greatness, who Nyong'o refers to as "our king." Connecting Boseman's death to his fictional counterpart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever seems to have afforded the cast a degree of healing and peace they may not have experienced had Marvel decided to recast the role of T'Challa. The move not only honors the late actor, but also the cast and director/writer Coogler.
While it remains unclear who will take up the mantle of Black Panther, Nyong'o and Kasumba's remarks indicate that the Wakandan segment of the MCU is expanding. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever has the opportunity to explore different stories and characters such as Nakia and Shuri. There has been talk of an Okoye origin series on Disney+, and with Namor making his official debut in the sequel, it is likely that he will make additional appearances throughout the MCU. Though speculation remains about what lies ahead, there is no question that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be an emotional watch for everyone.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever/Black Panther 2 (2022)
Release Date: Nov 11, 2022
