‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: Danai Gurira On Honoring Chadwick Boseman

Gurira said Wakanda Forever is "all about" Chadwick Boseman.

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Following Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing in 2020, his Marvel co-star, Danai Gurira, has talked about how Black Panther: Wakanda Forever honors the actor’s legacy.

Marvel fans everywhere were saddened to hear of Chadwick Boseman’s unexpected passing two years ago. Boseman was only 43 years old and had not made his battle with cancer public knowledge. Many were eagerly anticipating his return as King T’Challa in the sequel to his first MCU solo movie, Black Panther. Boseman had appeared as the Black Panther in four movies by the time of his death – Captain America: Civil War, Black Panther, and the Avengers movies Infinity War and Endgame.

Marvel confirmed that the role of T’Challa would not be recast following Chadwick Boseman’s passing and that the Black Panther sequel would go ahead, focusing instead on the nation and people of Wakanda. Danai Gurira, who plays Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje in the Black Panther films, recently spoke to Variety at the Met Gala about Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. It was clear that making the film was an emotional process for those involved who had worked with Boseman previously and Gurira explained:

“Listen, we poured everything we had into it, and we hope that you experience that and that it resonates for everybody the way it does for us. It tells a very heartwrenching story, and that is all I can say.”

When asked about how the film pays tribute to Chadwick Boseman, Gurira said:

“I think beautifully, and I’m very thankful for how our amazing director-writer handled that. It’s all about [Chadwick Boseman], and for all of us, it’s all an outpouring to love and to honor him.”

While fans will surely be excited for a Black Panther sequel and further explorations of Wakanda, it sounds like Wakanda Forever will also offer a moving tribute to the MCU’s original Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman.

Here is the synopsis for the first film:

After the death of his father, the king of Wakanda, young T’Challa returns home to the isolated high-tech African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king. But when a powerful enemy reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king – and Black Panther – is tested when he’s drawn into a formidable conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, he must release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people and their way of life.

Directed by Ryan Coogler, the film stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Angela Bassett, Forest Whitaker, and Andy Serkis.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will hit theaters on November 11, 2022. Stay tuned for all the latest news surrounding the upcoming film, and subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content!

Source: Variety