For fans, losing Chadwick Boseman after only a handful of Marvel Cinematic Universe appearances of the King of Wakanda was a heavy blow. Arguably, it was much harder on those who had to continue to unfold the legacy of Wakanda without him present, and Nakia actress Lupito Nyong'o has now opened up about Boseman and how a part of the second film will always be for him despite his passing prior to the movie being filmed.
A new book, Wakanda Forever: The Movie Special includes takes from director Ryan Coogler, Shuri actress Letitia Wright, Queen Ramonda force Angela Bassett, and more and we were given an exclusive excerpt of Lupita Nyong'o's thoughts on the matter to share with you ahead of reading the new book which hits shelves on Halloween and includes a wealth of illustration including on set imagery and production art as well.
Lovers of the film and Wakanda in general will want to check this new special out for themselves, but to whet your appetite we have included a few quotes from Lupita herself in the meantime before reading the book yourself.
How was the underwater work?
First of all, I have to say that Ryan seems to have something for water because even in the first film there were fights in the water. So, when I read this script, I was like, oh, he’s really going into it this time. He’s really embracing his fascination with water. Now, I’ve swum in a mediocre manner since I was little. Like, you know, I can float, but I panic swim. I used to swim like a puppy, you know what I mean? Not anything that anyone wants to film. I had to immediately get to training. I decided to go the extreme route. I did something called XPTLife [Extreme Performance Training], which was created by [big-wave surfer] Laird Hamilton and [his wife, ex-professional volleyball player], Gabrielle Reece. It involves breath work, movement underwater with weights, and incredible attention to restorative techniques like ice baths and saunas. It was amazing because it really opened my breath capacity. I could hold my breath for long periods of time in such a way that shooting became a lot easier. I also had an incredible swimming trainer, Pamela Baldwin. She helped me make friends with the water. It’s so easy to think that water is death. But, in order to be seamless with the water, you have to surrender to it. It’s about allowing the water to receive you instead of trying to stay up. It was a lot of fun.
How does it affect performance?
You have to be so present when you’re dealing with water. There’s no time for stage fright. You have to work against adrenaline. That’s why the breathwork is so important. You can’t afford to hurry. You actually have to slow all the way down and focus, and you have to be able to pivot with the changes. And there’s machinery under there when you’re shooting, and so your mind has to be clear. You have to be present. And it was such a great lesson for performance in general. The most rewarding times on set for me are when I’m not worrying about how I’m looking. I’m not worrying about how I’m coming across. I’m just being and receiving what is coming my way. Underwater, there was no other alternative.
How do you feel being back on set?
It was really moving to come back to Wakanda and reunite with the cast. So much has happened in the last six years. We lost our sun–and I mean that S-U-N, as well as S-O-N–in Chadwick. When it happened, the world had shut down, and everybody was isolated in their homes [due to the Covid-19 pandemic]. Some of us were able to go to his memorial service, but it was a time of deep disconnection. So to come back to this world that he was such a central part of without him was difficult, painful, but also really therapeutic. We were able to lean on each other and share our grief stories between takes. So, for us, this has been a very moving time to come to terms with that loss, but also to do it the way so many African peoples do it with a sense of celebration and continuation: a celebration of what Chadwick was able to achieve in his very short and meaningful life. I think we all continue to feel that a part of this movie is always going to be for him.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is available to view on Disney+ and Marvel's Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Movie Special Book releases on October 31st.