“Wakanda Forever” Interview: Lupita Nyong’o Wasn’t Happy With The Script

The Oscar-winning actress, Lupita Nyong’o spoke about her initial thoughts on the “Wakanda Forever” script alongside her cast and director, during the film’s press conference a few days ago. Where she surprised many of us, by stating that she wasn’t initially happy with the “Wakanda Forever” script after reading about what her character Nakia, would have to do.

Which according to Nyong’o wasn’t much, compared to Shuri’s character. Lupita mentioned she was “envious of Letitia Wright because she gets to be chaotic”. Don’t worry, Shuri’s nowhere close to Wanda Maximoff’s chaos in Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness. But I do agree that Shuri does feel “chaotic” compared to Nakia.

During the conversation, Lupita goes on to say that after Chadwick’s passing, she “felt raw and wanted to express it”. Which is why she “was frustrated with Ryan for doing that with Nakia”. And by “that” Lupita’s talking about how Nakia expressed her grief in the film.

Thanks to Ryan Coogler, and the “Wakanda Forever” script — Lupita never really gets a chance to show much emotion or grief. I’ll skip the spoilers, and save the drama for the film. But just know that Nakia definitely shows us a different side of grief and what that could look like when you’re “prepared”.

Yet, it’s this “different side” that you’ll realize was kind of genius for Coogler to show! In an age where we get so many films about ‘angry Black women’ or the ‘scorned lover’.

I do have to admit that it was nice to see the calmer side of grief. And I think Lupita, who says “playing [Nakia] was very therapeutic” for her, as she had to “look beyond her frustrations with losing Chadwick”, would agree.

During the first film, Lupita tells us that “Ryan [Coogler] described her (Nakia) as T’Challa’s oasis”. And now that he’s gone in “Wakanda Forever”, Nakia gets to bring “what she was once to T’Challa” to Shuri. Who definitely needs as many people in her corner now more than ever, after losing her brother, and is now possibly heading to war?

So yeah, it all makes sense!

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” opens in U.S. theaters on Nov. 11, 2022.