Black Panther Star Says Marvel Was Nervous Over Movie

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Black Panther Star Says Marvel Was Nervous Over Movie

Key Takeaways

  • Marvel execs were apprehensive about making the first Black Panther film due to doubts about its success.
  • Lupita Nyong’o and the cast shared those fears, knowing the importance of getting it right.
  • Black Panther’s impact shattered stereotypes and became a huge commercial success for Marvel.

As a fan who has witnessed the incredible journey of Black Panther, I can confidently say that I was not among those who were “shaking a little bit in their boots” when it came to this groundbreaking film. On the contrary, I eagerly anticipated its release with bated breath and unwavering excitement.

Initially, some within the company had reservations about expanding the Black Panther franchise, as they were somewhat apprehensive, even to the point of being nervous, about investing heavily in the initial Black Panther movie. Despite these concerns, the films have become critically acclaimed and commercially successful, making them significant contributors to the Marvel Cinematic Universe outside the Avengers series.

As a dedicated admirer, I must say that Lupita Nyong’o is no stranger to the world of entertainment. Throughout her remarkable career, she’s encountered various responses to diverse approaches. However, the open apprehension displayed by Marvel executives regarding ‘Black Panther’ left an indelible impression on her. Fast forward to today, with “Wakanda Forever” echoing in every Marvel enthusiast’s home, she recently shared her recollections of those early days that paved the way for this global phenomenon.

Black Panther Actress Addresses Marvel’s Concerns

The actress from America’s television show “Us” recently spoke with “The Hollywood Reporter,” sharing her thoughts on various topics centered around the first Black Panther movie. She also expressed her deep longing for her co-star Chadwick Boseman. She mentioned that both Marvel executives and the film’s stars were apprehensive about the initial Marvel Cinematic Universe film featuring a predominantly black cast, as they understood the significance of its success or failure.

Executives showed evident apprehension, and so did we, as we understood that this was a one-time opportunity, and we needed to make sure it was executed flawlessly.

After the release of Black Panther, it managed to perform satisfactorily at the box office and receive positive reviews from critics. This success not only calmed doubts about the historic film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but also demonstrated a good reason to revisit this genre. Nyong’o stated that she and her co-stars realized that Black Panther had effectively debunked the notion that black films don’t sell.

Black Panther
StarringChadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Martin Freeman, Daniel Kaluuya, Letitia Wright
Written ByRyan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole
Directed ByRyan Coogler

The blockbuster hit, Black Panther, stands among the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s top-earning films since its establishment 16 years ago. With a global gross of $1.35 billion, it ranked as the sixth highest-grossing superhero movie to date. The film’s success led to the production of a sequel; however, unfortunate events required revisions when the lead actor, Chadwick Boseman, tragically passed away from cancer.

Initially, Marvel Studios had reservations about the direction and diversity of the Black Panther franchise as depicted in the original film, as suggested by former chairman Ike Perlmutter. However, these apprehensions seemed to dissipate following the enormous success of the first Black Panther movie, which grossed over a billion dollars, and later Wakanda Forever, which made nearly $900 million despite the absence of Chadwick Boseman in the sequel. This suggests that Nyong’o may have been correct about Marvel Studios’ initial hesitations.

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2024-10-17 23:23