Lupita Nyong'o on 'Black Panther' sequel: Will be tough to go back 'without our King'

Lupita Nyong'o on Chadwick Boseman and 'Black Panther' sequel: Will be tough to go back 'without our King'

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 3/3/21

The lovely Lupita Nyong'o stopped by Good Morning America to promote her new children's book, Sulwe, but the Oscar-winning actress was predictably asked about the much-anticipated Black Panther sequel.

Just as Nyong'o can't go anywhere without something related to Black Panther arising, the Marvel franchise will always be inextricably linked to the late Chadwick Boseman.

"In Marvel form, I have nothing to tell you," the 38-year-old said when pressed for details about Black Panther II.

But she could share one universal sentiment about Boseman: "It's gonna be a hard one. It's going to be different, of course, without our King, to go back into that world. But I know that all of us are dedicated reimagining or carrying on his legacy in this new Black Panther, and Ryan Coogler has some really, really exciting ideas that I look forward to bringing to life with the rest of the family."

“It’s going to be different, of course, without our king [Chadwick Boseman] … but I know that all of us are dedicated to reimagining or carrying on his legacy in this new #BlackPanther.” — @Lupita_Nyongo https://t.co/i9rZzYvW4s pic.twitter.com/NcxvWy8rmd
— Good Morning America (@GMA) March 3, 2021

Cooger was the mastermind behind the 2018 record-breaking film, which cast Boseman as the titular character, who was also known as T'Challa. N'yongo played the King of Wakanda's love interest, Nakia.

Boseman died last August after privately—and surprisingly secretively for someone so famous—battling colon cancer for four years. He was 43 years old.

pic.twitter.com/aZ2JzDf5ai
— Chadwick Boseman (@chadwickboseman) August 29, 2020

Following his death, there was an outpouring of grief, love and support from fans and Hollywood peers alike. Boseman's Black Panther co-stars, including Nyong'o, shared emotional tributes. Michael B. Jordan has since deleted his touching Instagram message.

For the beloved #ChadwickBoseman. #TakeYourTimeButDontWasteYourTime pic.twitter.com/PZ6opeoYUl
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) September 8, 2020

Marvel Studios’ 'Black Panther' Director Ryan Coogler’s full statement on the legacy of Chadwick Boseman: https://t.co/pmVivZOqzf
— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 30, 2020

Boseman was posthumously awarded his first Golden Globe for his work as songwriter and trumpeter Levee in Netflix's Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, also starring Viola Davis and Colman Domingo. His wife, Taylor Simone Ledward, accepted the honor on his behalf:

Taylor Simone Ledward accepts the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama on behalf of her late husband @chadwickboseman at the #GoldenGlobes.pic.twitter.com/UOgdLlnA52
— Golden Globe Awards (@goldenglobes) March 1, 2021

Black Panther II is expected to release July 8, 2022, with Coogler back as director and co-writer. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed in December that T'Challa will not be recast (h/t Collider).

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