Murphy's Multiverse

Tag: Wakanda Forever

  • Tenoch Huerta on the Challenge of Tackling Namor as an Antagonist in ‘Wakanda Forever’

    Tenoch Huerta on the Challenge of Tackling Namor as an Antagonist in ‘Wakanda Forever’

    Black Panther Wakanda Forever is just around the corner, as it not only continues where the previous left off but also opens up the Marvel Cinematic Universe to a new corner, the introduction of Talocan. Tenoch Huerta is set to take on the role of Namor, who is a major player in the comics but is taking on a more antagonist role in the sequel.

    With the prospect of the character being more than just your run-of-the-mill Marvel villain, the actor and director Ryan Coogler had a tough challenge to find the perfect balance on how to explore the character’s story. Huerta opened up on the challenge in the official press conference for the upcoming Marvel Studios release.

    It is tricky, when you have a character like this, because you are the antagonist. You gonna destroy something that is not just in the story, but the people, you know? The people outside. A lot of people feel identification with Wakanda, and I’m include myself in Wakanda, and the narrative and representation and everything. So, now I have to play the bad guy who destroy [laughs], or try to destroy that legacy. And but at the same time, I think Ryan, the script, and, you know, he found a way to make it human, to justify why that people do that kind of thing.

    Tenoch Huerta

    The character taking on Wakanda and the challenge of still keeping a chance of people rooting for the character even after he attacks Wakanda, a place they’ve become familiar with and connected throughout the years. He highlights the beauty of the story by exploring grief from different perspectives, as the story explores “two characters, taking different directions with the grief and the threat” that faces them. In turn, it makes the core of the story quite human.

  • Namor Actor Couldn’t Swim Before Working on ‘Black Panther 2’

    Namor Actor Couldn’t Swim Before Working on ‘Black Panther 2’

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will introduce the world to Marvel Cinematic Universe’s take on Atlantis in the form of Talocan. The Mayan-inspired take on the iconic underwater civilization is a promising direction for the mythology built around the character of Namor, who will be portrayed by Tenoch Huerta. Given that they are a civilization that exists beneath the ocean’s surface, the actors portraying the Talocan people had to do some shots underwater.

    During the official press conference for the film, the Namor actor revealed that he actually couldn’t swim before working on the film. The conversation came up when they started discussing who had the record of holding their breath the longest during filming, which led to the actor revealing he couldn’t swim before starting work on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. A surprising detail if you consider that he was going to tackle a role that would mostly see him underwater.

    Yeah, well I didn’t know how to swim before this movie. But now I can hold my breath for five minutes.

    Tenoch Huerta

    He does reveal that the record of holding their breath underwater is held by Namora actress Mabel Cadena, who seemingly can hold it for up to eight minutes. It definitely sounds like they had an interesting challenge with the production and it’s always interesting to learn details, such as the fact that the actor learned to swim and stay underwater for extended periods just to star in this role. It showcases how much work truly goes into bringing these roles to life for the silver screen.

  • ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer on the Sequel’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer on the Sequel’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’s place in the chronology of the MCU has become the subject of a debate on social media lately. Marvel Studios has quite a job to do in keeping a tidy timeline, especially following the 5-year time jump of Avengers: Endgame which makes the MCU’s “present day” sometime in the year 2025. Some people believe that the film takes place in between the events of Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame while others are convinced it’s not quite so easy to determine when it takes place. Fortunately, Cinema Blend asked Marvel Studios’ Parliament member and Wakanda Forever Executive Producer, Nate Moore, for some clarification.

    While hesitant to put a time stamp on it, Moore did place it chronologically amidst other films.

    This movie clearly happens after No Way Home and Eternals. I think it probably happens potentially concurrent with [Thor: Love and Thunder]. New Asgard does exist in our universe, for instance, or in our film. And almost concurrent with Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, which is coming out in February.

    Nate Moore

    Realistically, and in terms of understanding where the sequel fits in the timeline of the connected universe, Moore’s answer gives the only information fans really need. The film, which serves as the capstone to Marvel Studios’ Phase 4, takes place in the “present” of the MCU, making it part of the Multiverse Saga, unlike Black Widow which was clearly placed in the Infinity Saga between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War.

    Fans can do more work on giving it a proper time stamp when Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11th.

  • ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer Reveals ‘Ironheart’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer Reveals ‘Ironheart’s Place on the MCU Timeline

    There have been many questions surrounding when exactly the upcoming Ironheart series takes place. Not only is Dominique Thorne going to be introduced in the upcoming Black Panther sequel, Wakanda Forever but set photos from the Disney+ spinoff hinted at some new armors she is working on. With no sighting of the one that was recently leaked through tie-in merchandise, it seemed odd that Riri Williams wouldn’t use it in her own series.

    Well, luckily producer Nate Moore who worked on Black Panther Wakanda Forever offered some insight into the series and its place on the ever-growing Marvel Cinematic Universe timeline. While we don’t yet know exactly when the sequel takes place, it looks like the Disney+ series is a direct continuation rather than a prequel.

    Riri is carrying the experience that she had in this movie back home to MIT & there’s some interesting repercussions to her adventures that will set her on a fun course.

    Nate Moore

    It’s definitely a curious direction and it does make sense that they’d want to continue her storyline. Plus, the experience of working with the Wakandans could become a helpful tool when she is faced with a new challenge in the form of magic. Many set photos and the confirmation of The Hood as an antagonist do give credence to her taking on a new kind of challenge. Perhaps the new suits we see are prototypes to take on this new threat. Of course, the power source required to run her finalized Ironheart armor may also need some rework which leads to her experimenting. Whatever the direction may be, it remains promising to see what the future of the MCU has in store.

    Source: YouTube via Twitter

  • ‘Black Panther’ Producer Gives Update On ‘Wakanda’ Spin-Off

    ‘Black Panther’ Producer Gives Update On ‘Wakanda’ Spin-Off

    When 2017’s Black Panther introduced Wakanda to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it became an instant sensation. Ever since, director Ryan Coogler has been hard at work on expanding the fictional nation’s corner of the Marvel world. A sequel, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, is almost in theaters. After that, Coogler will look ahead to the release of Ironheart on Disney+, a series which he is producing based on a character – Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams – debuting in his film, Wakanda Forever. On top of this, there are two more Disney+ projects reportedly in development from Coogler. One that’s set to delve into Wakanda and its people, and another that will tell the origin of Danai Gurira’s Okoye.

    It’s possible that these shows are one-in-the-same, though this has yet to be confirmed or denied. In fact, not much has been said about these projects at all in the time since they were announced. That finally changed this past weekend. Speaking to Collider ahead of Wakanda Forever’s premiere, producer Nate Moore gave an update on the Wakanda series. Unfortunately, it would seem the show is still quite a ways off:

    Because of the amount of time and attention that went into this film, and frankly the Ironheart show, that is probably not as far along as people want it to be, but there are certainly great ideas that we’re still talking to Ryan about. So, we’ll see how far we can get with it.

    Nate Moore

    The good news is that Coogler is putting a lot of time and care into the projects in front of him. The downside is that fans will have to wait much longer for anything else. That being said, Moore does not say the projects, or project, are dead. So, there’s no reason to panic yet.

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever hits theaters on November 11th. Ironheart lands in late 2023.

    Source: Collider

  • Ryan Coogler Reserved the Use of Namor Since the First ‘Black Panther’

    Ryan Coogler Reserved the Use of Namor Since the First ‘Black Panther’

    Namor is about to make his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and it seems that director Ryan Coogler has pretty much reserved the use of this character since the first entry. In an interview with Slash Film, Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore reveals that Coogler asked for the rights to use the character if he got to make a sequel.

    Ryan is a huge fan of comic books, and in publishing, Namor and Atlantis often would come in conflict with Wakanda and the Black Panther. And so even as early as in post-production on the first movie, he was like, ‘If we get so lucky, could we maybe, could I just raise my hand and make sure no one uses Namor?’ And luckily, nobody was, and he had a great idea for it very early on. So we started building towards that idea, which I think is really fun.

    Nate Moore

    It definitely was hinted in the past that he’s had the character on his mind since the first film. At one point they even tried to include a tease of his arrival in a post-credit sequence that was eventually scrapped. Marvel Studios has been interested in adapting the character for almost 18 years according to Kevin Feige but never found the right idea to bring him to the silvers screen. Luckily, it seems that Coogler‘s patience paid off and no one else had the right pitch before him.

    Source: Slash Film

  • Marvel Studios Held a Special Screening of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ in Support of The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts

    Marvel Studios Held a Special Screening of ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ in Support of The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts

    Marvel Studios held the purple carpet World Premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever last week in Hollywood and early word is that the film is not only action-packed but serves as a touching emotional tribute to Chadwick Boseman. To continue to honor the star, who passed away from cancer in 2020, director Ryan Coogler and several members of the cast were in Washington D.C. on Sunday, October 30th for a special screening of the film at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in support of The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts.

    WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 30: Danai Gurira, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright and Kevin Youngattend the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Red Carpet Screening at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture on October 30, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Shannon Finney/Getty Images for Disney)

    Director Ryan Coogler and stars Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Danai Gurira, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta and Angela Bassett attended the red-carpet event last tonight hosted by Walt Disney Studios, Marvel Entertainment, Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture.

    Disney

    Founded in 2020, The Chadwick Boseman Foundation for the Arts is a non-profit organization with the mission “to encourage, support, and promote the intellectual, spiritual, and artistic growth of young people of the African Diaspora.”

    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will be in theaters beginning November 11th.

  • Ryan Coogler Talks Potential Return for ‘Black Panther 3’

    Ryan Coogler Talks Potential Return for ‘Black Panther 3’

    We are still around two weeks away from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever‘s release in theaters but many already have set their eyes on a potential third entry. There’s been no official announcement if they’d continue the franchise, but that wasn’t the focus while promoting the second entry, especially with its emotional anchor surrounding the fate of T’Challa reflecting that of the actor that made him an icon.

    Yet, while the promotion remains on Wakanda Forever, some still can’t help but wonder if Ryan Coogler was interested in returning for a third entry and it seems that this is definitely not on the director’s mind at the moment in an interview with ComicBook.com.

    I got no answers for you. Yeah, no, I try to finish what I’m doing, and then think about what’s next.

    Ryan Coogler

    It makes sense given just how much work was put into releasing the second franchise entry. Still, it does seem likely we’ll see a third entry eventually, especially with how important the Black Panther franchise has become in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Phase 6 line-up is still uncertain and there’s a possibility that they further explore this corner of the world before entering the multiverse fully.

    There’s also the question of who will truly lead the project moving forward. Wakanda Forever is seemingly more of an ensemble piece with many hints about who is taking on the role of Black Panther in the trailers. Yet, it’s not a certain element nowadays as there hasn’t been an official “passing of the torch” announced and we’ll see if the weight of the cowl will remain.

    Source: YouTube via The Direct

  • Ryan Coogler Reacts to ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Rumors

    Ryan Coogler Reacts to ‘Avengers: Secret Wars’ Rumors

    To say that the list of potential directors for Avengers: Secret Wars is long, is an understatement. Many have thrown their hopeful choice into the ring, especially when it came to bringing one of Marvel’s most iconic storylines to life. The top choice has seemingly been Black Panther director Ryan Coogler, who has a way of combining blockbuster action with a more grounded touch.

    While promoting Wakanda Forever, ComicBook.com got a chance to sit down with the director and ask him the question on everyone’s mind: is he already attached to directing Avengers: Secret Wars? As it turns out, he was more surprised by the question than anyone might’ve expected, and mostly just wants to wrap up his work on the Black Panther sequel.

    Bro, I ain’t heard nothing about that man, I’m trying to finish this one.

    Ryan Coogler

    One can’t blame the director for just wanting to wrap up his work on Wakanda Forever. The production has been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved, especially since Chadwick Boseman passed away. He’s also in the middle of promoting the film that isn’t set to hit theaters for another few weeks.

    Avengers: The Kang Dynasty already has Daniel Destin Cretton set as its director, which had many stoked and highlighted just how much trust Marvel Studios had in the director. Early on, many theorized the Russo Brothers might return to tackle the franchise once more given their experience, but it’s great to see Marvel take a new direction with their latest entries. So, we’ll have to see who takes on the role.

    Source: YouTube via The Direct

  • ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer Debunks Doctor Doom Rumors

    ‘Wakanda Forever’ Producer Debunks Doctor Doom Rumors

    Modern discussions surrounding any Marvel Studios project focus primarily on who might potentially appear from the larger mythos. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever mostly focused on highlighting that this story is an emotional rollercoaster paying tribute to the late Chadwick Boseman. Yet, that doesn’t stop the Internet from new rumors springing up left and right on a potential high-tier appearance.

    In the case of Wakanda Forever, quite early before we even saw the first bit of footage from the film, there was a rumor that Doctor Doom may appear. The iconic Fantastic Four villain has been a popular choice to appear in the Marvel Cinematic ever since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, but they have shown quite a restraint so far.

    With the imminent release, theories started making the rounds even more and it seems in an interview with Phase Zero from ComicBook.com, producer Nate Moore shot down the rumors of his appearance. He doesn’t go into any details, especially with how specific some of the rumors have become over time, but points out that once Namor was locked in, they kept the focus on him.

    It wasn’t, to be quite honest, although I get why. He’s such a great character and the world of Latveria is so fantastic and Ryan is a fan. But once we decided Namor was the antagonist, that was always going to be the focus.

    Nate Moore

    He highlights that Ryan Coogler is quite a fan of Doom and the concept of Latveria. So, perhaps he’ll get a chance to explore the character at a later point, especially with his talent of lending a closer perspective on the cultural relevance of these characters, which a place like Latveria would definitely offer. In a way, Doom could become the antithesis to what it means to lead a country and the dangers of falling down a very specific route to reflect that of Wakanda’s future leader.

    Source: YouTube via The Direct