Lupita Nyong’o in talks to star as the love interest in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’

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Here are some photos of Lupita Nyong’o looking absolutely gorgeous at the New Dramatists 67th Annual Luncheon in NYC yesterday. I can’t find the ID on this shirtdress, but it is stunning. This is such a great color on her too. And yes, her face is perfect. And we might be seeing her perfect face in a Marvel movie soon! Clutch your pearls, because Marvel might be hiring a woman of color as a major superhero’s love interest! Marvel also maybe-probably hired Tessa Thompson to play Thor’s love interest in Ragnarok, so Lupita could be the second woman of color hired for a major role by Marvel in just the past few months! Lupita is in talks to play Black Panther’s love interest in the stand-alone Black Panther movie!

Lupita Nyong’o, who won an Oscar for her performance in 12 Years a Slave, is in negotiations to star opposite Chadwick Boseman in Marvel Studios’ Black Panther. Ryan Coogler, who wrote and directed Creed, is helming the comic book movie as well as writing the script.

Boseman and Black Panther were introduced in Captain America: Civil War, which crossed the $700 million worldwide mark in under a week and a half. The character, whose name is T’Challa, is the warrior king of Wakanda, Marvel’s fictional African nation that is rich in an unbreakable alloy called vibranium.

N’yongo’s character has not been revealed, although she will be the Panther’s love interest.

Black Panther has a Feb. 2, 2018, release date, with production set to start in early 2017.

[From THR]

Wow, Chad Boseman and Lupita, directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. And it will be released during Black History Month in 2018. All they need now is to get Kendrick Lamar to do the soundtrack and it will be Peak Black History Month!!! I really am excited about this, and I hope Lupita does sign on to the film. The pedigree for this particular Marvel film is just too good to dismiss, I would hope. I mean, Coogler is THE director on the rise. Ta-Nehisi Coates is a genius. And Boseman is easily one of the best actors of his generation. I hope the “love interest” part is good, for Lupita’s sake.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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55 Responses to “Lupita Nyong’o in talks to star as the love interest in Marvel’s ‘Black Panther’”

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  1. Sara says:

    this movie sounds exciting. I have such superhero fatigue but if Coates is on board…

  2. missmerry says:

    I hope she gets to do some fighting!

    • V4Real says:

      I immediately thought of Lupita when that bad ass bitch said to Black WIdow “Move or be moved”. I was like damn Lupita could play that role.

      • Samtha says:

        The Dora Milaje! They’re Black Panther’s personal guards. Lupita would be perfect as one of them.

      • lilacflowers says:

        Florence Kasumba, a German actress, had that line. I want her back in Black Panther. She was fierce

  3. Josefina says:

    Well finally, non-CGI roles!

    While I agree Marvel could do with more female characters, I think the only one that was poorly written was Natalie Portman’s. I generally like Marvel’s female characters a lot and they actually serve a role in the story beyond being eye-candy. So I’m excited for this.

    What’s dissapointing is I’ll have to wait a year and a half for it. I could’ve sworn this movie was coming out next year.

  4. The Eternal Side-Eye says:

    DO. IT.

    Yes to a darker skinned love interest! Hollywood can stop pretending the only black women worth assigning to that role have to be Halle Berry complexion or lighter.

    So so so excited for this film!

    • Santia says:

      Why couldn’t she be a love interest to any of the other ones, though? Just wondering aloud. Not complaining that she got this role, but it annoys me that black women never really get to be romantic partners.

    • Original T.C. says:

      +100000 @Eternal Side eye!

      Right there with you 🙂

  5. missmerry says:

    also, Boseman is 39?!
    I would have never guessed after seeing him in Civil War.

  6. Anon says:

    YASSSS I’m so excited for this movie. I thought that Chadwick Boseman was one of the best parts of Civil War. Its been awhile since I was really excited for a movie, so I hope this pans out. I happen to be white, but work for a civil rights organization and a ton of my coworkers are excited to finally see a superhero movie centered around a minority.

  7. MexicanMonkey says:

    I usually hate it when fantastic actresses end up playing the love interest on these kinds of movies but in this case I don’t mind at all!
    Because a) Marvel really do a good job with the female love interest characters. And b) I can’t remember the last time that a woman of colour was the live interest in a big blockbuster or superhero movie.

    And Chadwick Bozeman and Lupita together? Gorgeous!

    • V4Real says:

      “I can’t remember the last time that a woman of colour was the live interest in a big blockbuster or superhero movie.”

      I think the last time was the movie Spawn. That was a long time ago. It starred Michael Jai White and Theresa Randall. I remember there was small chatter about Michael Jai White taking on the role of Black Panther but too much time went by and he might be a bit too old if they want to continue with the franchise. They figured he would be a good choice because he is a professionally trained martial artist.

    • lucy2 says:

      My thoughts too – ordinarily I’d be annoyed by the “superhero love interest” type of role, but I don’t blame her one bit for going for this, and hopefully it’s good.

  8. Sara says:

    I hope she plays more than just a love interest. Shuri was made for her.

  9. Jay says:

    Marvels love interests do tend to be fully fleshed out characters, and rarely damsels in distress.
    Pepper Pots is a ceo of stark industries, Jane foster a world renowned astrophysicist, betty ross was another scientist, Peggy and Sharon carter are both kickass agents of shield. The only one who ever needed rescuing was pepper in iron man 3 and even then she wound up saving the day (like she did in iron man 1).
    I have high hopes for lupita getting a strong juicy kickass role! Something like gamora or Peggy carter.

  10. Kate says:

    She’s already on the cast list on IMDB, so it may be all but officially announced.

    I thought Ta-Nehisi Coates was involved with the latest BP comics, not with writing the film?

  11. QQ says:

    GET YOUR MONEY QUEEN!! ( i will GO to a Marvel movie with a nice smile on my face for that!)

    “Chad Boseman and Lupita, directed by Ryan Coogler and written by Ta-Nehisi Coates. And it will be released during Black History Month in 2018 ” HOLLYYY F*CCKKK YESSSSSSSSSSSS Black History Life Is In Progress and I for one im Here for it! whatever dam broke in us these past year im ready for these riches I really am, #blackout all year for the QQ

  12. Lilacflowers says:

    At this point, I would watch Chadwick Boseman read a phone directory. I am so excited for this film and Lupita joining just makes it all the more interesting

    • NUTBALLS says:

      Yes to Boseman, Yes to Lupita. I hope she’s more than a love interest and the character has some brains and/or fighting skills. That would be the prefect package for me.

    • JRenee says:

      +100

    • Sixer says:

      Same here. I can’t bear Marvel films but even I would watch this one without complaint. Beautiful leading couple and I am a big fan of Ta-Nehisi Coates.

    • Alex says:

      YAS. This is so peak blackness I could cry. I could barely handle February this year because it was also peak blackness…so i may need to adequately prepare.
      But lupita is a QUEEN and Chadwick made me swoon every time he opened his mouth in civil war. and i was not alone when I was in the theater

  13. Original T.C. says:

    I don’t want to get my hopes up of a Black woman getting to play a kick-arse love interest to a Black man since Hollywood believes that Dark skinned couples like this are a myth and that Black child are made by magic! I do believe 100% that Coates wrote a script spelling out in painful detail a woman of Lupita’s skin coloring and features because I know the history of white-washing of dark skinned Black women is a super important issue to him too.

    But the executives who are stuck thinking white audiences can’t relate unless there is a light-skinned or mixed raced woman are the problem. Sad.

  14. Tiffany says:

    2018?!!! What the hell, man. That like…..a long time away.

    And yes to Kendrick doing the soundtrack.

    Just take my money.

  15. Alarmjaguar says:

    Sqweeee! Can’t wait

  16. teacakes says:

    YES YES YESSSSSSSS DO ITTTT MARVEL, HIRE LUPITA ALREADY!

    This movie is already looking so good, I’m half afraid I’m expecting too much but damn it, look at the people they’re getting!

  17. lucy2 says:

    Did anyone see the trailer for the Queen of Katwe? I just saw it the other day, it looks really good.

  18. Lucy says:

    I repeat: Lupita should be in ALL the things!

  19. CK says:

    Point of clarification: Ta-Nehisi Coates isn’t writing the script. He’s writing the current comic series that is coming out. Coogler and Joe Robert Cole, a co-producer and writer of the surprising deep and fantastic American Crime Story, are writing the script. That being said, Black Panther has some amazing talent at the helm. Also, Chadwick Boseman is single and so is Lupita. If they fall in love on set and get married, I’m going to be …*gulp… happy for them nonetheless.

  20. susiecue says:

    I can’t stop looking at these photos. She’s like the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen and that DRESS, that COLOR looks phenomenal!

  21. wood dragon says:

    This. Must. Happen!
    Go, Lupita!

  22. kori says:

    I think Lupita is making great moves. As has been written about extensively, she faces an uphill battle in Hollywood. Coming off the Oscar, she stayed in the public eye via covers, endorsements and appearances. She had roles, even if voice ones, in 2 of the. Hugest movies of recent years–Star Wars and jungle book She was out doing PR for both. She’s. Building contacts with directors like jj Abrams and with studios like Disney. Then she works on Broadway in an acclaimed drama and picks up a tony nom and maybe a win even. Now she could sign onto a movie–which is bound to do well given the way they’ve beeen unrolling the character within the marvel universe–and could lead to a franchise. All this is keeping her front and center without having to carry a movie. She’s making good money with non-acting gigs and can afford to take roles on Broadway or indie films or even tv (where the great roles for some tend to be) while also getting a foothold in one or more high-vis franchises. I think she’s setting a great blueprint for a modern young actress of color–or any young actress really.

  23. Grant says:

    Love her, but that dress-coat is a miss. It looks like she hasn’t gotten finished getting ready!

  24. boohoohoo says:

    Not sure where the info that Coates is writing the film comes from. I know he’s writing the actual comic book now, but I’m pretty sure Ryan Coogler is doing the screenplay for the movie. Wish is were Coates though.

  25. Dingding says:

    I think that playing the love interest of a superhero is a small and second-tier role. The only love interest who had a major part was Thor’s love interest (Natalie Portman).
    Note that Lupita didn’t get a heroine’s role nor a villain’s part. ScarJo got the “Black Widow” part which puts her on part with Thor and Co.

    I think that Lupita has been offered such second-tier parts just after her Oscar win and back then she declined them. To me this looks as if she has finally given in and signs up with big commercial movies because the really good and challenging parts aren’t coming in. I think that even a good part in a decent comedy rom-com would have been a better choice quality-wise. And I am not sure she will get much promotion out of this as the superhero’s girfriend is usually a small part designed to make the hero look better. Supporting role at best.

    As for the superhero’s girlfriend in big franchises: Gwyneth Paltrow’s part in the Ironman movies. Deadpool’s girlfriend in the movie. Side dish at best.

    Nevertheless however small her role she promotes the hell out of it. I find it sometimes rather comical how she talks up her small-parts work. But that is the game, apparently.

    • teacakes says:

      Natalie Portman, the only love interest who had a major part?

      She was the most poorly received of any of the women in the current Marvel franchises – people love Pepper, Peggy (neither of whom is window dressing) and Natasha but are vastly indifferent to Jane which is how she ended up getting replaced for the next Thor movie. She’s not Tom Hiddleston so no one even cares.

      • lilacflowers says:

        @Teacakes, Portman tried to get out of her contract before filming the last Thor movie. She wanted out. That’s why they aren’t bringing her back for Thor 3.

      • LAK says:

        Natalie Portman only signed upto 2 films. She hated no 1, and tried to get out of no 2. Her contract wasn’t renewed and i’m pretty sure she’s very happy as a result.

        She was very clear that she was in no 2 due to contract obligations, and that after doing her best to get out of it.

  26. Tiffany says:

    Michael B Jordan has been confirmed. Not a Coogler film without Micheal.

    • lilacflowers says:

      I just read that. I had hoped that he would land in this somehow but feared his Fantastic Four involvement would prohibit that. But as it looks like there won’t be any more Fantastic Four productions with that cast, that would free him up for this. Apparently, playing Johnny Storm leads to better roles in the MCU. So excited for this movie. I NEED it NOW!!!

      • Tiffany says:

        @ Lilac. Who do you think he will play. I can see him playing T’Challia’s uncle. Or will he be a new character.

      • lilacflowers says:

        I suspect he’ll play the brother Hunter.

  27. Marianne says:

    I really love that Disney has embraced Lupita.

    Now, Lupita just needs to be cast as the next Disney princess (provided she can sing) 😀

  28. Amy85 says:

    I hate that movies with black actors as leads usually have a February release. Black people do see movies year round. It’s too early to assume that she’s just a girlfriend. Lupita may have a meaty role. She doesn’t strike me as going for the money grab.