lupita Nyong’o plays a chunky role in this much-awaited all-Black ensemble superhero film and hopes the escapism forces a talking point
lupita Nyong’o made a striking impression in our minds when she portrayed the role of a tortured yet miraculously whimsical slave Patsey in 12 Years A Slave. Beginning her career as a teenager, she has co-starred in films like Non-Stop and Star Wars: Episode VII — The force awakens. Bold, opinionated and versatile, she has donned the hat of a director and producer for albinism documentary In my Genes.
Black Panther is Marvel’s first movie to star a black American superhero, essayed by Chadwick Boseman. It revolves around T’Challa, who after the death of his father, the King of Wakanda, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation to succeed to the throne and take his rightful place as king.
You’ve been very vocal about equal opportunities in Hollywood, be it from any race or gender. How was your experience portraying a strong female character and working with an all-Black castIJ
It was very exciting. Ryan Coogler set out to tell a very powerful, specific, bold and unique story and he delivered the content. For me, when I’m choosing a role, I want to essay a woman who is powerful in her own right and has agency. Power does not look the same. In this film, we have four women who are all powerful but have different ways to express it. Nakia is an undercover spy whose power lies in her subtlety and observational skills. But she can be ferocious when she needs to be. Okoye, the general, is overtly powerful as she is the ruler of an army. You can feel her power when you meet her. The Queen is regal, personifying wisdom and gives counsel to her son. Sheree is a fun and spunky girl who is a scientist. Her mind is her greatest weapon. So, the film depicts the various ways in which power looks different on different women. In my opinion, it is an important aspect for the audience to get a better sense of what equality looks like in the world. It’s about being allowed to realise your full potential, no matter what sex you belong to. And Wakanda has figured it out. So I feel honoured to be a citizen of this nation and hope more people will join in.
With a cast of talented characters, how was each day spent on the setIJ
It was incredible. I admire the cast and we did get along well. There’s no other feeling as awful as going to a place of work where you are dreading the moment you meet your colleagues. I never felt that way when I was working on this film. We worked long hours and afterwards we tried new things and partied together. Work hard, play hard was the motto. We went to this Nigerian restaurant once and everybody enjoyed it. I love Nigerian food and it was lovely to introduce it to people like Angela Basette who essays the character of Storm and other folks. It was a communal environment where we really admired and supported each other through the whole process.
How does it feel to be part of two big universes — Marvel and Star WarsIJ
These films are modern day folklore. We get together, enjoy and suspend all else to relish it. I love the escapism that accompanies storytelling. The thought of escaping into the universe created by these films and leaving with rich experiences to ponder over and talk about adds an edge. It’s a powerful medium and I’m blessed to be a part of it.
A lot of fans in India are really looking forward to watching Black Panther. What would be your message to themIJ
Don’t believe the hype, just go see it for yourself. Because the film will deliver, especially if you go in there not expecting anything in particular.When there’s a film I’m looking forward to watching, I don’t listen to anybody. I just go to see it.
(Movies Now - the Home of Super Heroes got an exclusive with the cast of Black Panther)