The Tracking Board
caught up with rising Black Panther stars Winston Duke And Letitia Wright for a wide-ranging profile that included working with director Ryan Coogler, what they're allowed to say about their roles in
Avengers: Infinity War and where audiences will be able to see them next.
For Winston, the Trinidad and Tobago-born actor knew he wanted to work with Coogler early on his career based on the young director's work on
Fruitvale Station and
Creed.
"
I got called back to do a director’s session with him," said Duke about his audition process. He continued, "
That lasted, like, 45 minutes, and he took me in 20 different directions with the character. ‘Can you make it more personal? Try this, try that. Go here, go there.’ And that gave me a sense of his directing style. He likes going in 20 different directions and capturing it all, and then choosing what he wants and how he wants to tell this story. So I feel like he trusted me, and when it came to creating the character, all that sense of trust bled into that process."
On their roles in
Avengers: Infinity War, both actors avoided details but teased that the same way Black Panther brought a freshness and unexpected turn for the MCU, a similar pivot occurs in the Russo Bros.' Avengers movie.
Duke stated, "
I think there’s just a lot going on Infinity War. In the same way that Black Panther is revolutionary in its approach to Marvel Cinematic Universe storytelling, I believe that Avengers: Infinity War will shake the cornerstone that we’ve grown accustomed to. It will shake the images and ideas that we’ve grown accustomed to, and it’s going to be a lot for the fans." Wright added, "
Shuri will pop up and do what she needs to do. Avengers is going to be another world of amazingness. You guys are very, very blessed this year. Marvel is the gift that keeps on giving. You guys have got Black Panther, Avengers, Ant-Man and the Wasp, Captain Marvel. You guys are being spoiled. A lot. And then next year you have another Avengers? Very, very spoiled!"
As for what they're doing next? Both are searching for the right roles and don't necessarily have any projects lined up at the moment. However, their agents are probably fielding offers non-stop from both critics and fans alike lauded their performances. In addition to
Avengers: Infinity War, Wright also has a small part in
Ready Player One, out in March.Winston stated that he's also interested in producing and/or writing and directing.