By Rita Okoye

In August 2020, the world lost a great humanitarian, performer, and actor, Chadwick Boseman who passed away from complications from colon cancer.
Boseman left a huge gap in the lives of fans around the world, who, saw him up on the big screen as King T’Challa, ruler of Wakanda and the heroic Black Panther.

Honouring him with a sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,
Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta Mejia, and director Ryan Coogler, were in Nigeria’s entertainment capital, Lagos, for the African premiere of this master piece that promotes the beauty of Africa.
Vanguard Allure had moments with the casts and crew present.

Ryan Coogler – (The film’s director)

Ryan Coogler is an American director who found success early in his career. He speaks on how he was able to pull through after Boseman’s death.

How did you come up with the whole idea for a Black Panther sequel?
I spent a lot of time thinking and working with my collaborators. I got inspiration from books and experiences from a lot of lives lived. It is the fourth year since the first movie. So, this one was personal to all of us.
We came back different people but relationship was same. So, I think it was all of that poured in. And then, we lost Chadwick.

In picking the characters, what did you look out for?
How did you pick your characters? What were you looking out for?
A lot of them are coming back from the first film. So, it was really about how they changed in ways you can believe and adapt.
We had to look for new characters, figure out who they are and how are they can fit in with the other characters.

How did the death of the Chadwick Boseman affect this movie production?

Honestly, it affected everything. We all in the group loved him and through the process, he meant a lot to all of us. It was hard filming without him.

What would you remember him for?
So many things. He was a complicated man in all the best ways. Like everyone else, I remember him for his performances, all the things he used to tell share with me and his smile. He was simultaneously, the most serious and the most groovy person I’ve ever seen too. He was a really special person.

During the movie what were the challenges you faced and how did you tackle them?
We faced a lot of challenges. A lot of reschedules and even shut down.
Pandemic was like hell right back. It was a pandemic movie. At some point, someone had COVID and it was the choreographer. He had to go away for two weeks and so we had to pull the schedule up.
And, Letitia unfortunately, wasn’t okay. She got injured. We had to reschedule for that. We had to shut down for a little bit so she could heal before we get back to work.
So, a lot of things came up but we’ve got the a wI’ll and every obstacle was rolled away.

Now, you are in Nigeria, do you have plans to feature a Nigerian actor in any of your forthcoming movie?
It would be beautiful to shoot some someday. I’m still trying to find my way around. I’ve enjoyed spending time here.

As a filmmaker, how do you find time to relax?
If I’m not shooting, I like to cook. I’ll bake desserts, make coffee.

Winston Duke (As M’Baku)—-I researched on Igbo tradition

How do you feel being part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
It is such a beautiful feeling. It was an interesting journey. When you watch this movie, you will find out its true meaning. It is so much greater than you and the depth is relayed even before you open your mouth.

What were the challenges faced during filming and how did you handle them?
One of the major challenges was trying to figure out how you feel inside you. We had a very big loss and that loss was also part of the film. Whatever that was going on inside as an actor, was also happening outside. The confusion is met by so much confusion due to the loss of one of us.
Aside this, shooting in a post COVID world was really hard. We had to be taking tests, three times a week. People getting sick often and all that. Making such an epic movie at the time we did was really hard. I was constantly negotiating how to take care of myself internally in this moment. Usually, I used to be more worried about taking care of myself externally; how do I eat well? not get injured, get enough sleep and be whole to do the job.
For this project, I had to consider how to remain whole, internally and externally.

You perfectly delivered the role of an Igbo man with all the accents, how did you make that happen?
My accent was completely inspired by an Igbo man. The Jabari tribe is very much influenced by the Igbo tribe here in Nigeria. I listened and found really great samples. I also contacted friends and researched more on Igbo traditions. I watched their movies too. One of my call responses which didn’t make it as part of the movie but everyone on set remembers it is, Ndi Jabari Kwenu, Ndi Jabari Kwezunu. Another one is Umu Wakanda. I did a lot to deliver the core Igbo man you saw in the movie.

How did the death of Chadwick Boseman affect your emotions on set?
People know Chadwick Boseman from what they read about him, his outfits, his covers of magazines, his faces on papers and all. What they don’t know is the real him; peaceful, calm and funny. People need to know his softness, the way he laughed, how sweet he was and how thoughtful he was in his quietness.

Lupita Nyong’o – (As Nakia)
—–This movie is a tribute to Chadwick Boseman

How do you feel being part of this master piece; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
Where ever I go in the world, people might not know any other of my movies, but they know Black Panther. This is a proof of how far this film has gone, it’s reach and recognition. It gives me a lot of pride and also humbles me. It also comes with great responsibility.

What extra works did you put in to deliver your role perfectly?
Immediately, I got to know we are doing this again, I had to start up with work-outs. Cut down on the COVID lockdown weight, also known as Carbs. I also had to learn how to swim with confidence. I had to learn how to take tasks under water, like carrying heavy weights and increasing my breath capacity under water. When it comes to acting, I haven’t done anything like that under water and it takes a lot of focus to be able to execute this project.

How did the death of Chadwick Boseman affect your emotions on set?
It was devastating and extremely confusing. I went through a lot of trauma as you do when someone close to you dies; someone so young, vibrant, so talented and so present.
I am eternally grateful to Ryan for making the second film about him, in such a way that everyone could bid him farewell and deal with the fact that we lost him.
That was what the characters was about, grief; all the stages and all the messages. It was very challenging to come to work with my grief and try to make beauty out of it.

What would you remember Chadwick Boseman for?
I think this film is a massive tribute to him. This is his legacy. It keeps the memory of him alive. I know that all of us who knew him were positively impacted by him. We will make sure his contributions to our lives and the impact he made will not be forgotten.

Letitia Wright (As Shuri)
——–The feedback has been awesome

How do you feel being part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
It is one of the most beautiful journeys we have been through; from the first film till now. It is a dream come true, to represent characters and being a vessel used to carry out this wonderful project. Our audiences have supported and empowered us. The feedbacks have been awesome, altogether, it has really been beautiful. I am grateful for all the bessings that come with it. The acknowledgement and support is overwhelming. It is one of the best experiences of our lives and we are grateful for it.

Did the death of Chadwick Boseman affect your emotions on set?
Yes. Every day. It is only human and natural to be affected by his death on set. We made sure to have a therapist on set. We had each other and processed together. Some days someone is stronger compared to the next person. And everyday, we swap around, dealing with our grieves. We felt like he was there with us. We just dedicated the whole work to him.

What was your first reaction when you got the script for the Black Panther 2?
When I saw the script, I was like wow, this is a deeper level. We are going into Wakanda on a higher level which comes with introduction of new characters. The topics and things we are able to discuss with each other as a society. I was happy again to be part of this special piece of art. And another opportunity for us to dive into this world and give our audiences what they crave. It’s a great opportunity to be part of this franchise.

What were the extra things you did to put yourself in character to ensure you deliver your roles perfectly?
We did a lot of tank works; getting comfortable in water. As a team, we got a lot trainings; how to free-dive inside water. It was really fun and it also prepared our lungs and minds for what was ahead. We all practised with the camera crew and it was really fun. In the film, water was symbolic and metaphoric. It is really beautiful that underwater world was represented in our film. And again, it goes back to healing, transition and all.

Danai Gurira (As Okoye)
—–I now make sense through this movie

How do you feel being part of this master piece; Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?
This is a gift. I am grateful that I am part of it. The symbolism of Wakanda for us as a continent is a very cool thing. It shows we have so much brilliance in the continent, not just in imagination but in what we can see. It is also very cool to see the level of the acceptance here in Africa. The way my country responded to it, my family, it was awesome. Many of them don’t go to the movies, but they went to see this one and they are really in love with it. Finally, I made sense to them as an artiste.

What was your first reaction when you got the script?

I knew the story because Ryan walked me through the story line. But then, when I saw the script, it filled in a lot of blank spots. What I did appreciate was that there were lots of stories he was trying to tell, I was worried about how many of them would make it into the movie. What I appreciate more was that it was honouring our brother (Chadwick Boseman) and the stories being told was all about that process.

Tenoch Huerta (As Namor)
——-It was a big career opportunity

How do you feel being part of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever?

It is a wonderful experience and opportunity for me in my career. The obvious, and beautiful thing is being part of the Wakanda family. Going into Hollywood and seeing these people being nice and with open arms, shows that I am in the right place with the right people. This is the biggest opportunity of my career. It is a big experience and valuable thing.

What was your first reaction when you got the script for Blank Panther?
In Latin America, we have two roots; the African root and the Indegenous root and we explored both in this movie, but in different contexts. It is beautiful the way it combines. The way Ryan chose to interpret this indegenous culture is a such a special way to show this character to the world. I think Black Panther: Wakanda Foreever is the perfect frame to sketch this culture. It was amazing and at same time, a delicate process. I was allowed to be able to interject into the script and make changes and adjustments. Ryan was totally open to all suggestions, to discuss and to learn about our culture. It was a beautiful piece that we made, working together. I wasn’t just an actor, but also a team mate.

What were the extra things you did to put yourself in character to ensure you deliver your roles perfectly?
I got a lot of suggestions from those who know the root better. Culturally, I mix, but it’s my root. I asked and got lots of information about our roots, our way of life.
For Latin Americans, the ruler is the first servant of the people.