Dominique Thorne discusses what she learned from Danai Gurira and the rest of the cast while working on Black Panther 2. Riri Williams, aka Ironheart, was introduced into the MCU as a 19-year-old MIT student who managed to impress Shuri with her intelligence and engineering skills. Riri is pulled into the conflict between Wakanda and Talokan after the U.S. government used one of her inventions putting a target on her back. Riri joined the fight for Wakanda using her intelligence and engineering skills, eventually fighting alongside Wakandan warriors while wearing her Mark 2 armor.

Thorne joins a long list of new faces in the MCU. She has already learned from some greats of this franchise, including Robert Downey Jr., who spoke with her about carrying on the Iron Man legacy as Ironheart, but emphasized the importance of establishing Riri as her own character. In an exclusive interview with Screen Rant Thorne shared an important lesson she learned from Gurira about character advocacy while working on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.

I'd say that the cast on the show really did such a great job of just really walking in their excellence and understanding that their first responsibility was to their character. I think that was a great lesson that I learned day one, probably most explicitly from Danai. She has such clarity about [her], as does the Queen of Wakanda and the royal family, in defining her character. Which was also amplified by the rest of the cast, just with the way that they approached scenes; not being afraid to ask questions or to question certain things that didn't sit right with them because they know the characters best. I think that was a beautiful lesson.

Related: When Will The New Black Panther Return After Wakanda Forever?

How Danai Gurira Has Helped Define Wakanda's Place In The MCU

Okoye in Avengers Infinity War battle looking at Scarlet Witch

The importance of advocating for one's character cannot be overstated, especially in a franchise like the MCU. With new directors and writers telling stories with these characters, the actors become the ones most consistently involved in their character's journey. Learning the importance of asking questions, either to better understand a scene or situation or to question decisions made by the creative team in service of staying true to one's character, is a pivotal part of Thorne's journey.

Thorne worked with Coogler to shape Riri Williams' character in her Black Panther: Wakanda Forever introduction as well as Ironheart, which Coogler executive produces. In time, Riri will cross into other areas of the MCU with new directors and writers at the helm. Understanding that she will need to speak up in order to stay true to her character is imperative. Gurira is the perfect actor to teach Thorne this lesson. Okoye has been one of the most important figures in Wakanda since her introduction in Black Panther. Okoye has had a compelling arc through Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and now Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but the cohesiveness of her character's story through different directors may be due to Gurira's advocacy for her character.

Gurira's character has become such an important cornerstone for Wakanda in the MCU that there have been rumors of a spin-off focused on Okoye. Wakanda, which started as an isolated nation hidden from the world, has become a major power in the MCU. After T'Challa was lost in Thanos' snap, Okoye stepped up to become the voice for Wakanda among the Avengers, making herself and her country invaluable in the defense of Earth. Wakanda and Okoye have become allies of the Avengers, Captain Marvel, and even the Guardians of the Galaxy in the aftermath of Thanos' victory. And while Okoye has continued to develop and grow throughout her MCU appearance, her core character has stayed consistent while still evolving. Gurira's confidence in her understanding of her character has likely been invaluable in keeping Okoye true to herself, especially in Infinity War and Endgame.

Next: Riri Williams Is Like MCU Spider-Man - But Avoids His Iron Man Problem

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