Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases next week, and we attended the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever virtual press conference with the phenomenal team. They answered questions from the press for just over half an hour about the next iteration of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the immeasurable weight this film carries on its shoulders. Directed by Ryan Coogler, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters November 11.
Also Read: Black Panther 2 Director Ryan Coogler Reveals Why Chadwick Boseman Refused to Read His Original Script
While Wakanda Forever seeks to be a smash hit, it has been through quite a bit of turbulence. Director Ryan Coogler had this to say about filming during the pandemic, as well as filming while mourning the loss of icon Chadwick Boseman:
“You know, we actually started the movie, like, right in the middle. And, you know, I think everyone has experienced a sense of loneliness, you know, during the years that followed, you know, this crisis. And it was just great to see some of these people and give them another giant big hug, you know what I mean? … And what we all deal with, you know, is things that people go through, this feeling of grief and loss. But it’s also great when you don’t have to alone, you know?
Grief doesn’t always bring sadness and this film does a fantastic job of showing that. Producer Nate Moore had this to say about the type of emotions displayed in the film and why:
“Yeah. I mean, I think as storytellers, you just I want to be as honest as possible with what the characters would have experience in film after suffering the loss
by T’Challa. And it’s not just grief, according to you… It is also sometimes joy, sometimes humor. That’s all emotions that anyone experiences with deep loss. But we had such a collection of talents and such a collection of characterswho all have a different point of view on this loss, that I think Ryan found ways to express all the
different colors of mourning throughout.“
Namor is a character he’s wanted to see on the big screen for a long time, and Tenoch Huerta said so when he finally brought this character to life and became the big bad in this movie:
“It’s tricky when you have a character like that, because you’re the antagonist… You will destroy something that is [viable?]not just in the story, but people, you know? the people outside. Many people feel identified with Wakanda,and I include myself in Wakanda, and the narrative and representation and all. So now I have to play the villain who destroys or tries to destroy this heritage. And but at the same time, I think Ryan, the script, and, you know, he found a way to make it human.
Although the entire cast must have changed their moods since the first movie, it seems that Shuri is the hardest hit because in the first movie she was a glimmer of light always waiting to make a joke, and in front now deal with the loss of the person who gave him that light. Letitia Wright had this to say about the duality of emotion displayed throughout both films:
“We meet her in the first movie and she is that ray of sunshine. She is so clothed and protected in royalty and love. And proud of his big brother taking the step, following that of his father legacy. And she just wants to create. And I love Shuri in the first because there was no limit for her too. It was as if she [laughs] was the person she brother went to get his protection, his armor. And he encouraged this. Her family encouraged her to be a genius and be faithentirely and wonderfully made. So we follow from there. What does it look like, when your heart is broken? And I think that was just Ryan’s advice on how to do it. we create a full arc of this human being? “
Danai Guria is an actress you’ll rarely see playing a character that can be described as vulnerable, but that’s exactly who she is in this film. Here’s what she had to say about the dramatic change:
“Well, you know, there’s
two sides of me. You know, there’s the side that’s like,
you know, understands, and the side that’s like, whoa, whoa,whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, really? Do we have to? And so yes, it definitely came when I first heard it. And then the other side took over and I understood that it was really great. And I am very grateful for the idea that these characters can explore so many facets of their humanity. You know, and Ithink it’s something that’s crucial, honestly, with an unprecedented platform is that we see all theseyou know, a kaleidoscope of their humanity and the world go see this.
It’s clear that this film is packaged to be an emotional rollercoaster and manages to do just that. Watch Black Panther Wakanda Forever in theaters November 11.
