Nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe Award, SAG Award, and BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his role in Get Out, Daniel Kaluuya is pretty talented. What’s even more awesome is that none of that has gone to his head, even though he is now playing “W’Kabi” in Marvel’s Black Panther. Paired in an interview with Letitia Wright, who plays “Shuri” Black Panther and is a scene stealer in the movie without even trying to be, we had fun talking about their friendship, the movie and other stuff you will just have to read about below.
Here’s what Daniel Kaluuya & Letitia Wright had to say…
- Daniel and Letitia, both from England, have been friends for years.
“…he’s been my brother for years. Like, I’ve known this guy for a long time and he’s a champ.” – Letitia Wright
- They did a lot of sword training to prepare for their role. Just like Danai Gurira said in her interview, Daniel shared that each character has their own fighting style.
“I think what was amazing, everyone had to have their own fighting style. Everyone had their own fighting style that reflects their character. So, W’Kabi is more like a fierce, ruthless…” – Daniel Kaluuya
- Making movies for them is about connecting with people and empowering them.
“…it’s kind of like, we have it and it’s ours in the process and then it comes out and it’s yours…it’s whatever you want it to be…it’s no longer my film anymore. It’s whatever you guys think about it. Whatever your experience your bringing to it and it’s like that’s what it’s about for me…” – Daniel Kaluuya
- They both aren’t active on social media.
“He’s ghost on social…I’m semi-ghost…someone’s like I love you and it’s like, ‘well, would you love me if you knew like what I looked like when I woke up? Would you really love me?’” – Letitia Wright
- Daniel realizes that with the magnitude of Black Panther (and his nomination for Get out), it will be much harder to stay under the radar.
“I know it’s harder to hide now.” – Daniel Kaluuya
- As a teenager, Letitia prayed for a role where she would inspire others, so playing Shuri is an answer to her prayers.
“It’s crazy because this film is pretty much years of prayer…because this is something I would pray when I was a teenager just getting into acting, like, whatever I do, I just want to be a vessel to be of inspiration. Doesn’t have to necessarily mean that that character is not flawed or perfect or has to be a perfect character but just to inspire.” – Letitia Wright
- Letitia understood the magnitude of her role but wouldn’t allow it to overwhelm her and wanted to keep the character real.
“…when this opportunity came up, I understood the magnitude of Shuri in the comic books. I understood where her arc is and where her journey is and it’s huge…I understood what was gonna be happening, I understood the magnitude of the film, I understood that I’m standing with Daniel, Lupita, Chad, Ryan, like Michael… I could see what was going on and I could see what would be the result, so what I tried to do was just play and tell the truth knowing that as long as I do that and I do it to the best of my ability and I am a vessel for that, then hopefully by God’s grace like young people will be inspired…I’m just gonna be the vessel and be real…” – Letitia Wright
Want to know more about Black Panther and its characters? Click on the links below to read my exclusive interviews with:
- Lupita Nyong’o & Danai Gurira
- Forest Whitaker
- Andy Serkis and Winston Duke
- Black Panther Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter & Production Designer Hannah Beachler
You should also check out my Black Panther World Premiere Recap, the Black Panther Press Conference Highlights and Fun Facts from the Cast. Oh and my Black Panther Inspired Gift Guide for some really cool products you can collect, enjoy or give as gifts.
You are going to want to go and see Black Panther when it hits theaters on 2/16!
Want to know my thoughts on the movie? Click here to read my spoiler-free Black Panther Movie Review. Long Live The King!
