Learn more about the Dora Milaje in a new video for Marvel's solo movie Black Panther. Audiences first met Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa in Captain America: Civil War, where he quickly became a fan-favorite character. The timing of his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut came at the perfect point, less than two years ahead of his solo film's release date. Fast forward to now, and there is just over a month left before Black Panther hits theaters. While viewers have gotten to know T'Challa, they have only glimpsed the kingdom over which he reigns.
Black Panther will largely take place in the fictional African nation of Wakanda: a technologically advanced country hidden from the rest of the world. Not only does Wakanda thrive on the use of their extremely rare metal, Vibranium, but they also have their own set of rituals and ideals that are not common throughout the world. One of the unique things about Wakanda is their all-female group of warriors known as the Dora Milaje.
Related: Lupita Nyong'o Can't Get Black Panther Tickets
The Dora Milaje will be heavily featured in Black Panther thanks to two prominent roles played by Danai Gurira (Okoye) and Lupita Nyong'o (Nakia). Marvel has now released a new featurette for Black Panther (featured at the top of this post) that puts the spotlight on the group as a whole, but also specifically on its two biggest members. As made clear by the video, Okoye and Nakia do not always see eye-to-eye when deciding what is the best way to protect their king and his kingdom.
The featurette is light on new footage, but instead is used to let fans understand these characters better before going to see the movie. As the leader of the Dora Milaje, Okoye is primarily concerned with how to protect Wakanda and is proud to do so. Gurira explains that the group try to work and move as one in combat, and references them trying to take down Erik Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) by doing just that. This battle has been teased throughout the marketing, but this video does show a few extra scenes from this fight.
Nakia's mindset, as explained by Lupita, is not as old-fashioned, and more combat driven. Her character has been described as someone who travels the globe to protect Wakanda's secrets, a job that likely requires plenty of altercations. Still, this video may be the best indication yet that Marvel Studios is setting up Nakia to follow her comic arc.
Just like on the page, Nakia will be a major love interest for T'Challa in the movie. However, driven by jealousy, she eventually is banished from Wakanda, only to be helped by Killmonger. She then takes on the name Malice and continues to torment T'Challa. The jealous love angle may not be where Marvel Studios goes, but she and Okoye not agreeing on the methods of the Dora Milaje could force her to leave. If she does wind up turning heel, Nakia could have a bigger and antagonistic role in Black Panther 2. But before we get there, we'll have to see how Okoye, Nakia, and the rest of the Dora Milaje fare next month. Based on this video, they should get plenty of time to shine.
MORE: Black Panther's Female Characters Avoid Rivalry Tropes
Source: Marvel
