Letitia Wright’s diligent involvement in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever seems to be a testament to her devotion to the franchise. Previous statements made by the young actress have ascertained people’s hopes for Wright’s brilliance, who seems to have carefully and intricately understood what it means to be Shuri – or even, the next Black Panther. Recently, in an interview, the MCU actor once again commented on how well she resonates with the character and how the upcoming film will delve deeper into her psyche.
When the official trailer for Black Panther 2 made its release, fans were rewarded with a scene that confirmed what seemed obvious for a while: Letitia Wright’s Shuri taking on the esteemed, heroic moniker of her late brother, T’Challa. While several people still have theories to fall back on which speculate why and how the tech-savvy Princess of Wakanda will not be the one (or the only one) to take up the famed mantel, Wright has made statements that allude to her character’s pivotal, history-defining significance within the film.
How Letitia Wright Grew Throughout Her MCU Journey
In a recent interview with SiriusXM, Wright elaborated on the ways Black Panther has changed her life and what fans can expect to see in the much-anticipated sequel. Furthermore, she affirmed how the series, the experiences she had over the past few years, and the legacy that is intrinsic to it have shaped her as a “woman.”
According to Wright, she has “grown too much.” To face such astounding acclaim and the greatness, the hardships, and the losses that came along with it in her 20s has allowed the young star to “fuel Shuri” with all her sentiments; all the emotions she has felt throughout the last few years. By growing as an individual, she has been able to develop her character as well.
Here’s her statement on the matter:
“I’ve grown so much. The difficulty of it is life imitating art and art imitating life. I can’t hide away from the fact that I’ve lost my brother and it’s a difficult thing to process … The growth that I’ve had to make, as not only a woman but also an artist. I’m so excited for people to see that on-screen.”
Letitia Wright then went on to make an intriguing comment about Shuri’s characterization in the sequel, which is simply confirming what we have all been expecting. The maturity of the Wakandan princess points to a heartfelt promise of a fruitful character arc; one that will see Shuri as the rightful heir to the Black Panther title.
Shuri’s Maturity In Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
People across social media have been campaigning to recast T’Challa. However, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever aims to respect and revere Chadwick Boseman‘s legacy. To successfully honor such a remarkable iteration would require a character that possesses deep emotional maturity and an immense sense of responsibility to replace the former.
While it might not mount up to T’Challa’s stature as the King of Wakanda, it must at least parallel the greatness of his reign. Who else would better fit such requirements if not Shuri, who according to Letitia Wright, is about to show a side to hers that has never been seen before?
In the same interview, Wright expressed how the sequel will portray her character in a more mature light, one that would not be traditionally expected out of her. Following is what the MCU star had to comment:
“There is a maturity to her that people would not expect. And there is a depth to her that I’m excited for people to see … Shuri has always been seen as the fun, troublesome sister who’s also a tech genius. But this film is a different take.”
Such a statement carries considerable weight. If the Wakandan Princess is indeed to take on the responsibilities of being the next Black Panther, she would be required to exhibit maturity; her actions and decisions must possess a certain level of depth. If she were to stick to her personality from the first film, people would perhaps not find her credible enough as the pallbearer of T’Challa’s legacy. Therefore, Wright’s remarks presumably point to a much-grown character who is set to take over the throne of Wakanda after her late brother.
Concluding her statement, Letitia Wright also emphasized how she channeled her “real life” emotions and feelings into Shuri. Therefore, the fans of the first film are definitely “in for a treat.”
While fan speculations continue amidst what seemed like the most credible confirmation of who the new Black Panther is, it would be quite interesting to see what else Marvel Studios have up their sleeves. As for now, the audiences can expect a fulfilling and satisfactory narrative that plans to stay true to its roots while embracing the future.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to hit the theatres on 11 November 2022.
Source: SiriusXM
