Black Panther: Wakanda Forever approaches, directed once more by Ryan Coogler. The sequel to 2018's highly-acclaimed Black Panther will see the nations of Wakanda and Atlantis (called Talocan in the film) at war, with succession to the throne in question after the death of T'Challa (played by the dearly missed Chadwick Boseman). Not only that, but a new Black Panther but be named, and it may not necessarily be the same person who rules the country.
The cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is largely made up of the stars from the first film, including Letitia Wright as Shuri, Lupita Nyong'o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Winston Duke as M'Baku, and Florence Kasumba as Ayo. But the highly-anticipated sequel also introduces new characters in order to set up the major conflict, such as Tenoch Huerta as the Talocanian king Namor, Mabel Cadena as Namora, and Alex Livinalli as Attuma.
While at San Diego Comic-Con, Screen Rant spoke to the cast of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever about what has changed since the last time the Wakandans were onscreen together, how the newcomers enter into the story, and how much Chadwick Boseman's absence was felt. Watch the videos below and read selected quotes from the interviews!
Everyone's talking about the emotional experience at Hall H. What was it like for you that first week on set?
Winston Duke: The first week of set was really jarring. Not having Chadwick there, personally, was incredibly profound and very potent. He's one of those people that never needed a lot of attention. When he's very present, he doesn't ever take up a lot of space, but his entire gravitas had no border. You know what I mean? It was everywhere.
Not to have that person there physically was a gaping hole. And we had a lot of grief on set, I'll be honest with you.
How have the events of Infinity War changed M'Baku?
Winston Duke: I think the events of Infinity War and Endgame really showed that the Jabari are now full-fledged members of Wakanda. M'Baku was a part of every single conflict; every event, and I don't think they could really exist in isolation anymore. They have open borders, and we saw that M'Baku was really Wakandan. His entire community has expanded.
Now we get to see how he figures out a brand-new world for Wakanda; a brand-new world like we've had to experience. A world post-COVID; a world post-pandemic or mid-pandemic. Much like us, he's going through a lot of the same things and figuring out how to move forward. This movie really deals and dives into that a lot.
How has Wakanda changed since the last time we saw it in Avengers: Infinity War?
Florence Kasumba: How has Wakanda changed? Life has continued, and there are a lot of problems that have to be solved. In this one, there are threats, and with the help of the Wakandans and their allies, things have to be dealt with.
Can you talk to me about what Ayo's been up to between The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and Wakanda Forever?
Florence Kasumba : Oh, you have to wait until November. That's a very good question. Wait until November.
What excites you the most about Ryan Coogler's approach to Namora and Attuma?
Mabel Cadena: Ryan is amazing. He really made me comfortable with my job, and he [speaks] with me all the time about my character. He is really interested in what you think about the world, and how I'm Mexican. All the time, he's like, "How do you think [you'd play this as a] Mexican?" l
That's really important to me in this moment. Because this is a huge opportunity [to] represent Nomora like a Mexican.
Attuma and Namor have been on the same side and opposite sides. Do they have everything figured out to go against Wakanda?
Alex Livanalli: I really have no idea. You're gonna have to watch a movie.
I want to say Attuma's very loving. He cares a lot about his people. It's all about his people. November 11!
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Synopsis
In Marvel Studios’ Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
Catch our previous interviews with Black Panther: Wakanda Forever stars Winston Duke for Avengers: Infinity War and Lupita Nyong'o for the first Black Panther.
