Marvel Studios Having Apprehensions About Black Panther's Box Office Success, According to Actress Lupita Nyong'o
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In the current landscape, Marvel is navigating a fine line, questioning whether the scattershot approach of their film and TV series will resonate with viewers or fall flat. Fleet-footed enthusiasts often fondly reminisce about the Marvel Cinematic Universe's triumphant narratives and box office victories, but Black Panther actor Lupita Nyong'o shed light on Marvel's initial uncertainty regarding the movie's success in the growing cinematic universe.
During a press event for her latest DreamWorks movie, The Wild Robot, at the BFI London Film Festival, Nyong'o recounted Marvel's apprehension toward Black Panther. Despite the Black Panther character's impressive debut in Captain America: Civil War, Nyong'o revealed Marvel was concerned if audiences would continue to embrace the superhero in his standalone film, a film that would also mark the MCU's first Black-led superhero movie (excluding Blade).
"There was plenty of fear, particularly from the execs," Nyong'o admitted. "Marvel was a tad nervous. We shared their anxiety too, thinking we only had one shot at this, and it had to be spot-on." Thankfully, as Nyong'o pointed out, Black Panther "obliterated the old notion that Black doesn't sell" and swiftly climbed the ranks to become one of Marvel's most lucrative films.
Though Lupita has never been shy about her ardor for joining Black Panther's cast, her comments about the film's legacy at the BFI London Film Festival were prompted by a clip featuring her and the late Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa. According to The Hollywood Reporter, viewing the clip led Nyong'o to fall silent, eventually leading her to admit that she hasn't watched the film since Boseman's passing in 2020 from colon cancer.
Nyong'o wasn't just romantically linked with Boseman's T'Challa on-screen, but they also formed a close bond in real life. Boseman's tragic passing inspired director Ryan Coogler to rework the story of Black Panther sequel Wakanda Forever to honor Boseman's memory, enabling both fans and Boseman's co-stars to mourn his loss.
"Grief is love, and there's no escape from it," Nyong'o said. "I don't yearn to avoid the tears or grief. You simply coexist with it. That experience will forever intertwine with the affection that bloomed." After politely declining to view another Black Panther clip, Nyong'o added, "Watching this clip, I'm engulfed by grief, but I'm grateful we can witness him alive. That's priceless."
The Wild Robot is now in theaters.
Update: Initially, we'd mistakenly identified The Wild Robot as a Disney film. io9 regrets the error.
Looking for more io9 updates? Get the lowdown on upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek instalments, the future of the DC Universe on the big and small screens, and the latest on the ever-evolving Doctor Who.
- The success of Marvel's Black Panther movie, despite initial uncertainty, has proven that Black does sell, making it one of Marvel's most financially successful films.
- Lupita Nyong'o admitted during a press event that Marvel was nervous about the reception of Black Panther, particularly the execs, due to it being Marvel's first Black-led superhero movie (excluding Blade).
- The recent tweet embedding a clip featuring Nyong'o and Chadwick Boseman's T'Challa from Black Panther prompted Nyong'o to remain silent, as she hasn't watched the film since Boseman's passing in 2020 from colon cancer.
- io9 provides updates on upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek installments, the future of the DC Universe, and the latest on the ever-evolving Doctor Who.
