After four long years, Wakanda is finally back, and while honoring their fallen hero, there’s a new Black Panther on the horizon. Hollywood Unlocked was on the red carpet for the world premiere of “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” in Hollywood on Wednesday, where we caught up with some of the film’s biggest stars, as well as its director, writer, and producer Ryan Coogler.
As fans will recall, Chadwick Boseman passed in August 2020, right before the movie was expected to go into production, but his demise did not leave him out of the gripping storyline. While talking to the likes of Angela Bassett, Danai Gurira, and Tench Huerta MeiÃa, the star-studded cast members shared the same sentiments that while Boseman was absent from filming, his spirit was certainly still felt — not only on set but also on the red carpet.
“Wakanda Forever,” while paying tribute to the fallen king T’Challa, who, played by Boseman, also sheds light on Princess Shuri (Letitia Wright) who is said to take the throne as the new black panther.
When speaking to Coogler about how to continue with the filming despite Boseman’s untimely passing, he shared that while we would have all loved to see him in the film, the story has to go on. However, while it does that, it could not have been without honoring his legacy and what he meant to the culture.
In the timeline of Marvel comics and the story of the Black Panther, there does come a new time when a new king (or queen) is crowned, which is something that without giving any major spoilers, you will see in the film.
Related: Letitia Wright Hospitalized After Filming Stunt For Black Panther 2
The Soundtrack
On the day of the premiere, major news was also released regarding the soundtrack of the film which features various artists. However, one person that everyone is looking forward to hearing from is Rihanna.
That’s right, the leader of the navy is coming out of a nearly 6-year hiatus to lend her vocal cords to this culturally important film.
Taking to Instagram hours before the world premiere, Rihanna shared a small tidbit of the song which is titled “Lift Me Up” Â which is said to pay homage to Boseman while lending as a core song of the movie.
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Related: Chadwick Boseman’s Brother Recalls Last Conversation He Had With The Late Star