Marvel Black Panther movie hit theaters on February 16 and as you know I was blessed to be one of the 25 influencers to be part of the #BlackPantherEvent. As part of the event, we had a rare opportunity to speak to several of the stars of Marvel Black Panther. Yesterday, I shared my interview with Lupita Nyong’s and Danai Gurira, today have the pleasure of sharing highlights from our interview with Academy Award® winner Forest Whitaker.
I WAS INVITED TO AN ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO LOS ANGELES COURTESY OF DISNEY TO ATTEND THE #BLACKPANTHEREVENT & #ABCTVEVENT IN EXCHANGE FOR MY COVERAGE. NO OTHER COMPENSATION WAS PROVIDED. ALL VIEWS SHARED ARE COMPLETELY MY OWN
Forest Whitaker plays “Zuri” the spiritual leader of Wakanda. A good friend to former King T’Chaka, Zuri has become a mentor figure to T’Challa, bestowing his knowledge and wisdom onto the Black Panther. Zuri is also the keeper of the Staff of Bashenga, and tends the garden of the Heart-Shaped Herb that gives Black Panther his powers.
One of the first movies to really move me, was “The Crying Game”. Although the topic of the film was risky, I remember his acting being so compelling, I follow his work since then. Therefore, it was a dream come true to interview him. Here are a few highlights from our discussion. Please feel free to share with your friends.
photo: Natasha Nicholes, HousefulofNicholes.com
Fun Fact Forest Whitaker first film was “Fast Time at Ridgemont” when asked what was it like working on his first Marvel Movie.
He stated: “It was exciting. Because I remember when we were at the Wakanda Falls. . . it felt like this hundred-foot waterfall was falling all around us. . . It’s a very powerful, powerful experience.
photo: Natasha Nicholes, HousefulofNicholes.com
Prior to the film, Mr. Forest Whitaker traced his African ancestry roots to Ghana. Although it did somewhat influence the depiction his character, he pulled his inspiration from different spiritual leaders.
Forest Whitaker share with us the following: “I guess it did and I didn’t fashion it . . . I fashioned him around different spiritual leaders, and different ways of trying to get like, get into the moral fiber for the community, because he’s the spiritual leader of Wakanda, you know.”
photo: Natasha Nicholes, HousefulofNicholes.com
What messages does He hope viewers will take away from this film?
Forest Whitaker states: … “That we are our brothers’ keepers, that we have to, even in our own comfort, be able to reach out and help those and helping others is important. One tribe, I think, is important. I think the message of female empowerment both physically and mentally and just the power that expresses. I think this message, too, like I said, about Killmonger, about our youth, and how we’re molded by our environments, and how we have to step in and try to move those things forward. I think you know, there are other messages, too, Colonialism. And all of those kinds of things. Finding your own voice and Empowerment because I think the movie deals with empowerment. Particularly for people of color, but for everyone.”
Marvel Black Panther is 2018 must-see movie No matter if you are a Marvel fan or not you are sure to fall in love with both of this characters. (click here for a spoiler-free movie review)
BLACK PANTHER IN THEATERS 2/16
More on Marvel Black Panther. . .
BLACK PANTHER DELIVERS STRONG ACTION SEQUENCES AND A EVEN STRONGER MESSAGE
MRS KATHY KING ON THE PURPLE CARPET FOR THE WORLD PREMIERE OF BLACK PANTHER #BLACKPANTHEREVENT
Thank you, Walt Disney & Marvel, for making this interview possible!
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