Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is in theaters everywhere on Friday, and for star Lupita Nyong’o, the moment is surreal.
After the death of Chadwick Boseman in 2020, Nyong’o didn’t think they would be able to go forward with the sequel.
“When Chadwick passed away, I just couldn’t imagine going back to Wakanda. That was just an impossibility,” Nyong’o told ABC Audio. “All of us were really disillusioned by it and just asking the question, ‘What is the point of life?’”
Eventually, director Ryan Coogler called her to explain his vision for what a continuation of the story could look like. At the end of that phone call, Nyong’o cried.
“I wept because I was relieved. Because I felt like the story – he managed to do two incredible things,” Nyong’o said. “He managed to pay homage and tribute to Chadwick, and tell a riveting, socially poignant story. And take us on a ride. I don’t know how you do all of that, but he did it.”
Even still, Nyong’o said it wasn’t easy to come back and make the new movie.
“It was emotional to make,” Nyong’o said. “We were still very much experiencing the grief of losing Chadwick and it really informs the story that we told in this film.”
Nyong’o’s character, Nakia, was Boseman’s love interest in the first Black Panther film. This time around, Nyong’o said that her onscreen feelings mirrored many that she felt offscreen.
“Nakia taught me a lot in her emotional intelligence and wisdom. I had to really rise to the occasion, but I got to use my grief,” Nyong’o said. “It wasn’t hard to tap into those moments because they were truthful. And so, this film is a rare, really rare occasion where art is directly and deliberately imitating life.”
Copyright © 2022, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.
Related Posts
Music notes: Mariah Carey, Lady Gaga and more
March 28, 2024
Mariah Carey is continuing to celebrate her 55th birthday — or anniversary, as she says. She posted…
Maroon 5 approves of Mick Jagger’s dance to their hit song
March 28, 2024
Christopher Polk/Getty Images for A&M/OctoneOn March 27, Rolling Stones legend Mick Jagger posted a…
Keanu Reeves, Fisher Stevens prepping documentary on MMA legend Benny Urquidez
March 28, 2024
RB/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesKeanu Reeves knows his way around a martial arts mat, what with his…
In “Hell Together,” David Archuleta expresses his “joy” at leaving his religion — with his family
March 28, 2024
Irvin RiveraDavid Archuleta, who came out as queer in 2021, announced in 2023 that he was leaving…
Noah Kahan reflects on “surreal” first show of North American We’ll All Be Here Forever Tour
March 28, 2024
John Medina/Getty ImagesThe North American leg of Noah Kahan's We'll All Be Here Forever Tour…
‘Twilight’ vet Kristen Stewart says she would have broken up with Edward “immediately”
March 28, 2024
Dominique Charriau/WireImageKristen Stewart obviously still has some feelings for her Twilight…
Miley Cyrus, Post Malone, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson feature on Beyoncé’s new album ‘Cowboy Carter’
March 28, 2024
Parkwood/ColumbiaBeyoncé's new album, Cowboy Carter, is already out in some parts of the world, so…
Tom Holland’s Romeo gets his Juliet for West End theater production
March 28, 2024
Good Morning AmericaOn Thursday, The Jamie Lloyd Company announced the full cast for Tom Holland's…