Lupita did not want T’Challa recast for ‘Black Panther’ sequel

Lupita Nyong'o says a number of people had their reasons for wanting T’Challa to be recast but she did not have the patience for it.

Oct 20, 2022 - 03:56
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Lupita did not want T’Challa recast for ‘Black Panther’ sequel

Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong’o told The Hollywood Reporter in an interview that she didn’t “have the patience” to even consider T’Challa (character played by the late Chadwick Boseman) recast being a possibility.

“That is not the death of the Black Panther, that’s the whole point,” she said.

ALSO READ: ‘Black Panther’ sequel to resume filming next week

CHADWICK REFUSED TO JOIN LUPITA IN SOUTH AFRICA

Lupita says she was on Marvel’s side when they decided against the idea of recasting the late Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa/Black Panther following his untimely death from colon cancer in August 2020.

“I know that there are all sorts of reasons why people want him to be recast, but I don’t have the patience. I don’t have the presence of mind, or I don’t have the objectivity to argue with that. I don’t. I’m very biased.”

The Black Panther: Wakanda Forever actress opened up about how Chadwick refused to join her on a press tour to South Africa after Black Panther was released.

ALSO READ: ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: Michaela Coel cast as queer character

At the time, Lupita had no idea why he refused but she soon learned his reasons when he passed on.

Hollywood Unlocked reports that Lupita expressed that she only knew of Chadwick’s death from actress Viola Davis through a text.

“I was paralyzed…He affected how I move in the world. But that’s the thing about Chadwick. Chadwick wasn’t trying to have everyone be like him. What he inspired was you to be your best self,” said the 12 Years A Slave actress.

The publication adds that the original script for Wakanda Forever was rewritten following Boseman’s death and will include Wakanda’s mourning as a central part of the storyline.

ALSO READ: WATCH | Lupita Nyong’o dances to Moonchild Sanelly’s single [Video]

LUPITA BECOMES A MEME AFTER OSCAR SLAP

The 39 year old actress says she was seated behind Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith at the 94th Academy Awards. 

Will Smith walked up to the Oscar’s stage and slapped Chris Rock in the face, after the comedian made a joke about the actor’s wife Jada – as per People magazine.

ALSO READ: Chris Rock not ‘concerned’ with Jada Pinkett Smith’s plea after ‘that slap’

“Once the moment was over, I realised, ‘Oh my God, there’s no way all this transpired and I’m not in the shot…I knew as soon as it was over that I was going to be a meme”

ALSO READ: ‘I am deeply remorseful’: Will Smith FINALLY addresses Oscars slap