Lupita Nyong’o (R) and Chadwick Boseman in 2014.Photo: Jeff Vespa/VF14/WireImage
Lupita Nyong’ois reflecting on makingBlack Panther: Wakanda Foreverwithout their “king"Chadwick Boseman.
Speaking withThe Hollywood ReporterSaturday at San DiegoComic-Con, the 39-year-old actress opened up about filming the highly anticipated sequel to 2018’sBlack Pantherafter the loss of star Boseman, whodied in August 2020at the age of 43 after a private battle with colon cancer.
“For us as a cast, having lost our king, Chadwick Boseman, thatwas a lot to process, and in many ways, we’re still processing it,” Nyong’o said. “When you lose someone, I don’t know when you stop missing them. And of course, we felt it so much, making this film without him.”
Despite it being “a doozy of a few years for everybody,” Nyong’o toldTHRthat she’s “very proud” thatthey were able “to make this filmagainst all odds,” calling the act “a powerful statement unto itself.”
“It was very therapeutic,” she said. “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 theBlack Pantherworld. It’s gonna blow people’s minds, and I just cannot wait until it’s not a secret anymore.”
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From L to R: Lupita Nyong’o, Letitia Wright, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba and Winston Duke at San Diego Comic-Con.Kevin Winter/Getty
Speaking withVariety, Nyong’o’s castmateDanai Guriragot emotional as she discussed how she “never knew when it was just gonna be a really hard day” on set when it came to remembering Boseman, and that the original cast’s new costars “held [them] up” through their grief.
On Saturday, Marvel debutedthe first teaser trailerforBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever.
Music to accompany the powerful footage, first shared during a panel at Comic-Con, begins with a cover ofBob Marley’s “No Woman, No Cry” and concludes to the tune ofKendrick Lamar’s “Alright.”
A synopsis of the film states that the characters “must fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death.”
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“As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda,” the synopsis continues.
Marvel Studios PresidentKevin Feigeappeared at Comic-Con on Saturday alongside directorRyan Cooglerand cast members includingWinston Duke, Tenoch Huerta and Florence Kasumba.
Nyong’o spoke about the upcoming film in an interview withYahoo! Entertainmentin April 2021, saying that her feelings about returning to theBlack Pantheruniverse go beyond “excitement.”
“I’m in a very pensive and meditative state when it comes toBlack Panther 2,” said the actress. “[Chadwick’s] passing is still extremely raw for me. And I can’t even begin to imagine what it will be like to step on setand not have him there.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Foreveris in theaters Nov. 11.
source: people.com
