Black Panther‘s Lupita Nyong’o Says Marvel Was Nervous About the Film’s Chances

Now more than ever , Marvelis walking a tightrope to see whether the shotgun method acting of its slating of films and television shows will land with fans or miss the sucker . While fans often get caught jade rose - touch glasses while looking back on the Marvel Cinematic Universe ’s many narrative and box office triumphs , Black Pantheractor Lupita Nyong’o divulge that the comical book higher - ups were unsure of the film ’s chance in its maturate cinematic pantheon .

During a closet outing for her new DreamWorks filmThe Wild Robotat the BFI London Film Festival , Nyong’o recount how Marvel was trepidatious aboutBlack Pantherwhile it was in output . Despite the Black Panther character ’s roaring success in his first coming into court inCaptain America : Civil War , Nyong’o read Marvel was disquieted if fans would continue to be receptive to the superhero in his own solo film — a plastic film that would also be the MCU’sfirst Black - lead superhero film(not countingBlade ) .

“ There was a heap of fear , emphatically from the executive … Marvel was shaking a little bit in their boots , ” Nyong’o said . “ We were too because we were like , we only get to do this once . And we got ta do it right . ” as luck would have it , as Nyong’o noted , Black Panther“totally shattered the myth that Black does n’t sell ” and cursorily becameone of Marvel ’s most successful films .

Nakia Tchalla

© Marvel

While Lupita has n’t been shy about herenthusiasm for joiningBlack Panther‘s cast , what prompted her aside about the film ’s legacy at the BFI London Film Festival was seeing a snip of her and the lateChadwick Boseman‘sT’Challa . According tothe Hollywood Reporter , witness the time lead Nyong’o to descend silent and after prompted her to reveal that she had n’t watched the motion-picture show since Boseman ’s travel by in 2020 from colon Cancer the Crab .

Nyong’o not only act as opposite Boseman as T’Challa ’s love interest , Nakia , but in real life she also becamehis near friend . Boseman ’s run led director Ryan Coogler to retool the story ofBlack PanthersequelWakanda Forevertopay testimonial to Boseman ’s passing , allowing both moviegoers and Boseman ’s co - stars to mourn his passing .

At the BFI#LFF , Lupita Nyong’o begins to weep after being shown a cartridge clip of her and Chadwick Boseman in#BlackPanther – which she say she has n’t watched since the player ’s death in 2020 : “ The brokenheartedness is the beloved and nowhere to put it"pic.twitter.com / avxpEKShHW

Tina Romero Instagram

— The Hollywood Reporter ( @THR)October 14 , 2024

“ The grief is the sexual love , and no place to put it , ” Nyong’o said . I do n’t require [ to ] operate aside from the tears or the grief . You just live with it . That experience will never be freestanding from the love that formed , ” Lupita said , after reportedly politely wane to move on to anotherBlack Pantherclip .

She continue : “ I watch this cartridge holder and I ’m fulfil with grief and I do n’t know whether I ’ll ever be done slough binge from losing my friend . But I ’m like , we get to see him alive . And that ’s so wonderful . ”

Dummy

The Wild Robotis in theaters now .

Update : The Wild Robotwas initially identified as a Disney film . io9 regret the error .

Want more io9 tidings ? Check out when to expect the latestMarvel , Star Wars , andStar Trekreleases , what ’s next for theDC Universe on film and TV , and everything you need to know about the future ofDoctor Who .

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