Angela Bassett Says She Initially Objected The Shocking Twist Of Her Character’s Fate In ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: People Are Gonna Be So Upset

Angela Bassett

Angela Bassett Says She Initially Objected The Shocking Twist Of Her Character’s Fate In ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’: People Are Gonna Be So Upset

[Spoiler Alert]

“Black Panther” star Angela Bassett wasn’t here for her character’s fate in the latest movie.

During a recent interview, the celebrity actress shared that prior to shooting, she vocally objected to director Ryan Coogler’s vision for the film. Following the tragic passing of the original Black Panther T’Challa, played by the late Chadwick Boseman, fans everywhere suspected they’d shed a few tears while watching the movie franchise’s sequel. However, many didn’t expect the surprise twist that saw the death of Wakandan Queen Ramonda, portrayed by Angela Bassett.

If you haven’t yet seen the flick, Queen Ramonda drowns during the antagonist’s attack on Wakanda. The death sets T’Challa’s sister, Princess Shuri, played by Letitia Wright, on a quest to avenge her mother’s death. Bassett recently revealed that after initially reading the script, she was adamantly against the queen dying, and even took her issue to Coogler himself. Reportedly, she stated:

“I objected….I was like, ‘Ryan, what are you doing? Why? You will rue the day! You will rue the demise of [Ramonda]. People are gonna be so upset.’”

However, the decorated film star said that Coogler calmed her by explaining how death is not always final in the Marvel universe. She continued:

“He was like, ‘Angela, I know, I know, but look, to die is not really to die in this world. It doesn’t really have to mean that.’”

Coogler was seemingly referring to the many times Marvel characters have returned onscreen following a tragic end. For example, the return of half of the earth’s population – who were initially killed by Thanos – in “The Avengers” series. Even in the new “Black Panther” film, Michael B. Jordan’s character Killmonger, who seemingly died in the first movie, makes a cameo resurgence. So it’s safe to say that we may not have seen the end of Wakanda’s beloved Queen.

Michael B. Jordan as Killmonger

Bassett also opened up about being at the forefront of the film following Boseman’s death. The latest release centers around the remaining members of the royal family, which includes the queen and the princess. Bassett admitted to having hesitations living up to the critically acclaimed first “Black Panther” movie, following Coogler deeming her “vital” to the sequel’s success. Speaking on the pressure to excel in the role, she stated:

“I was going to get a complex, like, ‘Am I going to be able to deliver what you’re asking for?’….She had to be strong. She had to be a mother. She had to be a leader. He was just throwing all of this at me. And then on top of that: ‘Can you swim? Can you put your head in water?’”

It seems Bassett and the entire “Wakanda Forever” crew were certainly able to deliver. In their opening weekend, the film grossed over $180 million in the US and $330 million globally, making it the second biggest domestic debut of the year and the largest debut for a November release ever. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” is now playing in theaters everywhere.

[VIA]

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