Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o reveals Marvel’s fears ahead of Black Panther premiere
Despite Black Panther remains one of the most beloved films in the MCU, one of its protagonists revealed that Marvel had serious doubts about its success before its release. The actress Lupita Nyong’o he commented in an interview for The Hollywood journalistduring the BFI London Film Festival, that Marvel executives were “shaking in fear” over the film’s reception. Especially with a cast African Americanit was the first time the studio had launched a project of this scale and, although the result was spectacular, the actress admits that they weren’t so sure at first.
The uncertainty behind Black Panther
According to Nyong’o, the executives of Marvel Studios They didn’t completely trust it Black Panther would achieve success. The film ultimately became one of the series’ biggest hits, winning three Oscars and racking up more 1.35 billion dollars at the box office. “There was definitely a lot of fear on the part of the executives…Marvel was a little scared,” Nyong’o said. “We did it too, because we knew this was our only chance to get it right. But in the end, the myth that ‘black doesn’t sell’ was completely shattered.”
This success was a crucial moment for superhero cinema, and especially for Marvel, which was facing a growing pressure to expand diversity in their productions. This pressure was evident when former Marvel president Ike Perlmutter expressed resistance towards greater representation in the MCU, something that president Kevin Feige himself confirmed in 2019.
An unforgettable legacy
The story of Black Panther It goes far beyond his collection or his awards. Lupita Nyong’o, playing Nakia in the film, he remembers it with emotion Chadwick Bosemannher co-star, and expresses how his departure continues to affect her. Watching a scene where she shared the screen with Boseman, Nyong’o commented through tears, “Pain is love with no place to put it. I look at him and feel like I will never stop crying over the loss of my friend. But at least we get to see him alive on the screen, and that’s wonderful.”
This sense of shared pain was a major factor for fans and the cast of Black Panther. The sequel, Wakanda forevermarked the return of emblematic characters such as Shuri (Letizia Wright), Ramonda (Angela Bassett), y From Baku (Winston Duke). The film has grown $859.2 million worldwide and won an Academy Award, but the absence of Boseman, who died before production began, left a palpable void in the Marvel universe.
The cultural impact of Black Panther and the hope of a third chapter
With the franchise’s popularity booming, many are wondering if there will be a third film. Black Panther. Although Letitia Wright once hinted that a sequel was already in the works, she later clarified her words. However, the end of Wakanda foreverwith the exciting post-credits sceneleaves an open door for future deliveries. The film pays homage to both Boseman’s legacy and the resilience of the people of Wakandasomething that resonated deeply with fans.
Marvel demonstrated with Black Panther that can not only tell stories of superheroes, but also stories of representation Yes empowerment. Exceeding expectations and dispelling the myth that films starring African Americans are not successful, Black Panther has established itself as a cornerstone of contemporary cinema. As Nyong’o said, “What we achieved with this film transcends the superhero genre. “Let’s create a space for future generations to see themselves on the big screen and know that they too can be heroes.”
All in all, fans can enjoy Boseman’s legacy and the promise of Wakanda, available now on Disney+.