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Lupita Nyong’o Reflects on Chadwick Boseman and Her Journey in Cinema
Emotional tribute to a fallen co-star
Lupita Nyong’o recently opened up about her late “Black Panther” co-star, Chadwick Boseman, during a Q&A at the BFI London Film Festival. The session, which was intended to highlight her illustrious career, took an emotional turn when a clip from the 2018 film was played.
“I haven’t seen the film since Chadwick died,” Nyong’o confessed, visibly moved. Struggling to hold back tears, she chose to persist with her tribute, despite the moderator’s suggestion to switch topics. “The grief is just the love,” she stated firmly. “There’s no place to put it. I don’t run away from the tears or the grief. You just live with it.”
Remembering Boseman
Boseman, who tragically passed away from colon cancer in 2020 at the age of 43, remains a towering figure in Nyong’o’s memories. Their on-screen chemistry as Nakia and T’Challa was electric, and it’s clear that their bond extended well beyond the screen. Nyong’o’s poignant words echoed the sentiments of many who still feel the void left by Boseman’s absence.
Behind the scenes of a Marvel masterpiece
During the same Q&A, Nyong’o shared fascinating insights into the making of “Black Panther”. Initially, she was in talks for another Marvel project when her agent informed her of director Ryan Coogler’s interest in her for the role of Nakia. “I got on the phone with Ryan, and he walked me through this story about a fictional African country,” Nyong’o recollected. Coogler’s vision was to make the film “more politically astute and relevant than the comic book it was based off of.”
Surprised by the depth and ambition of the project, Nyong’o needed to reaffirm, “Wait – this is a Marvel movie? This is Disney?” To her astonishment, all parties were on board. From the outset, she sensed they were onto something monumental. “If they let us do this thing, if we get away with it, it’s gonna be amazing.”
Managing executive apprehensions
Despite their confidence, the film crew faced significant anxiety from Marvel executives as the release date approached. Nyong’o recalled the tension vividly. “Marvel was shaking a little bit in their boots.” However, when the trailer dropped, the response was overwhelming. In a group chat, cast and crew shared memes and marveled at the global reactions. The film shattered the $1 billion mark globally in mere 26 days, a testament to its groundbreaking impact.
Reflecting on the gravity of their work, Nyong’o admitted she’s still coming to terms with Boseman’s loss. Yet, she finds solace in his immortalized performance. “We get to see him alive. And that’s so wonderful.”
A career filled with accolades and challenges
Nyong’o’s journey in the film industry began with her stunning performance in 12 Years a Slave. The year before she won her supporting actress Oscar in 2014, she watched the ceremony at home in her pyjamas. “Until I went to drama school, I’d never watched the Oscars,” she revealed with a laugh. Her win marked a significant milestone, making her one of only ten Black women to have ever earned an acting Oscar.
Understanding the historical context of her achievement, Nyong’o shared how learning about past winners, like Hattie McDaniel, who faced unimaginable barriers, added a profound layer to her experience. “It was just like, wow, it’s hard to wrap my head around what that meant.”
New projects and personal challenges
At the festival, Nyong’o also promoted her latest project, the animated feature “The Wild Robot”. In it, she voices the lead character, inspired by relentlessly positive AI assistants like Siri and Alexa. However, this role came with its own challenges. “I was doing it often and at one point I actually injured my voice. I developed a polyp and had to remain silent for three months to heal,” she disclosed.
Nyong’o’s career reflects a blend of exquisite talent, unwavering dedication, and deep personal connections. Her tribute to Boseman was a heartfelt reminder of the human stories behind cinematic triumphs.
For more insights into Nyong’o’s career and to stay updated on her latest projects, be sure to follow her journey across social media platforms.
