As Black Panther continues to take the world by storm, much attention has been given to who many are claiming to be the film’s break-out star, Letitia Wright.
Wright, who portrays T’Challa’s sister and all around-genius, Shuri, spoke to the LA Times about where Shuri is heading going forward and her character’s special relationship with the film’s titular hero:
“It’s a lot of love and loyalty between them and they have each other’s backs. He’s got her and she’s got him. They’re royalty, but there’s still something about them which the world can relate to. They make a good team. People keep saying this thing about Shuri being the Q to T’Challa like in James Bond; she looks out for him and she protects him. She also tells him the truth.”
Shuri’s playfulness, intelligence, and fierce capability endeared the character to millions of new fans. Thankfully Marvel Studios is not going to make fans wait too long to see the Wakandan wunderkind. Shuri and Wakanda will be featured in this year’s upcoming Avengers: Infinity War, where she will encounter Marvel’s old guard of heroes.
And it appears Shuri will be open to learning from such clever heroes as Tony Stark and Bruce Banner, while also teaching them a thing or two:
“I think she’ll be OK. I think she would humble herself to learn from them and challenge them as well with new designs and new ideas from Wakanda. And she’s willing to learn from the West because her brother is so open now. I think she’s embracing that as well. She would hold her own.”
The world has embraced ‘Black Panther’ and its world like few other films have been before. Not since last year’s Wonder Woman has a super-hero film captured the public’s hearts and attention. And the cast, including Wright, is very aware of the importance of this film and the possibilities its success has created:
“It feels good because it’s a moment. It feels like a moment in time and it’s not going to be forgotten. And it’s going to open up a lot of doors for many more films like this to be made. I feel very empowered.”
Black Panther is now playing in theaters. Directed by Ryan Coogler, the movie features a cast that includes Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa (Black Panther), Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Danai Gurira as Okoye, Martin Freeman as Everett K. Ross, Daniel Kaluuya as W’Kabi, Angela Bassett as Ramonda, Forest Whitaker as Zuri, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Florence Kasumba as Ayo, John Kani as T’Chaka, Sterling K. Brown as N’Jobu, Michael B. Jordan as Erik “Killmonger” Stevens (Golden Jaguar), Andy Serkis as Ulysses Klaue, and Winston Duke as M’Baku (Man-Ape).
After the death of his father, T’Challa returns home to the African nation of Wakanda to take his rightful place as king. When a powerful enemy suddenly reappears, T’Challa’s mettle as king — and as Black Panther — gets tested when he’s drawn into a conflict that puts the fate of Wakanda and the entire world at risk. Faced with treachery and danger, the young king must rally his allies and release the full power of Black Panther to defeat his foes and secure the safety of his people.
Black Panther is currently in theaters! Click here to get you Black Panther tickets!
