( ENSPIRE Entertainment )Three Global Premieres Have Created Even More Excitement For The Film
ENSPIRE Contributor: Gabel Strickland
Many of Hollywood’s biggest names have made appearances on the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” promotional world tour, which has thus far included three red carpet premieres in Los Angeles, London, and Lagos respectively. Both stars of the movie and other notable celebrities shone on the red carpet, including Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Rihanna, and more. Their looks have been sleek and extravagant, just like the cinematography of the “Black Panther” movies themselves. Each stunning appearance creates even more buzz for the already highly anticipated film.
The world premiere took place on Wednesday, October 26th at the El Capitan Theatre and the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” cast themselves wore some of the most celebrated looks of the evening. Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Nakia in the movie, wore a tight fitted, off-the-shoulder white dress with geometric slits along the front. Angela Bassett brandished a shiny purple dress with pleated ruffles composing the top, looking just as majestic as her character, Queen Ramonda. Winston Duke, who portrays M’Baku, was dressed in a red and black coat, with matching shades and a bracelet. Daniel Kaluuya wore a simple but fine suit, known for his role as W’Kabi. Michaela Coel was present in a black, sparkly, hooded column dress with sheer gloves.
Many of the looks were tributes to the late Chadwick Boseman, who played the titular character, King T’Challa, in the first Black Panther movie. Letitia Wright, who is just as beloved as her character, Shuri, wore a sleek black suit with glittering silver embellishments and silver earrings to match. The silver pattern along her shoulders were reminiscent of the suit the late Chadwick Boseman wore at the Oscars in 2018.
The movie’s director, Ryan Coogler wore a white suit and a beaded, gold chain with a picture of Chadwick Boseman. The tribute allowed the beloved late actor to make an appearance beside his co-stars. Boseman’s passing was devastating and left many people, Marvel Cinematic Universe fans and beyond, to wonder how the franchise would continue on without him. These touches demonstrated that the “Wakanda Forever” cast carry Boseman with them into this upcoming installment of the series.
But it wasn’t just the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” cast who made appearances. Rihanna showed up alongside boyfriend A$AP Rocky, wearing a shiny silver dress with high gloves. Her song “Lift Me Up,” was written for the “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” soundtrack. Michael B. Jordan, who famously played Killmonger in the first film, wore a yellow Louis Vuitton suit.
“Bridgerton” star Regé-Jean Page made an appearance, as did creator and star of “Abbott Elementary” Quinta Brunson. Basketball players Betnijah Laney, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chiney Ogwumike also appeared together. Other famous names included Tyler Perry, Tessa Thompson, and sisters Halle and Chlӧe Bailey.
The movie then premiered in London on November 3rd, 2022 at Cineworld Leicester Square. Danai Gurira, celebrated in her Marvel role as Okoye, wore a marvelous sheer dress with black lace and golden embroidery flourishing across the front and sides. The dress featured ballooning black satin sleeves and a stylish slit down the front. Winston Duke wore a chic black jacket peppered with sparkles across the bottom half, with tasteful jewelry and shoes to match. Ryan Coogler sported the same chain of Chadwick Boseman around his collar as he attended.
English actress and musician Cynthia Erivo arrived in a bright yellow coat-dress with golden floral designs dancing across its length. She wore winged yellow eyeliner and golden detailing on her nails and jewelry to match. Senegalese TikTok star Khaby Lame wore a tuxedo, which opened to reveal an undershirt with a picture of Chadwick Boseman on it. Television and radio star Maya Jama wore a long, figure-hugging red dress with a plunging illusion neckline. She paired her dress with a large necklace with a sculpted pendant.
The latest and most historic of all the premieres thus far, however, took place on November 6th in Lagos. Gurira’s dress was composed of a golden top with a white and yellow skirt that had ruffles running along the side. The ruffles leapt up to reveal a more colorful fabric underneath them. Gurira also wore a white headdress for the occasion. Tenoch Huerta, who plays Namor in the film, wore a salmon suit while Nyong’o and Wright both wore sparkling silver dresses.
But this premiere was less about looks and more about celebrating the film’s cultural heritage. This event marked the first time Marvel has ever held a premiere in Nigeria. The premiere was coordinated with the help of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), making sure the stars of the film could visit the continent in which the movie is set. The original Black Panther film was – and remains – one of the most popular movies across Africa.
The “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” cast themselves looked just as dazzling at these premieres as they did on screen. Fans went wild for these famous names and their looks. Many took to Twitter to express their adoration, saying things like “RIHANNA AT THE BLACK PANTHER PREMIERE !!!!” and “family at the black panther 2 wakanda forever premiere, we love to see it. ?” There was lots of praise for the cast and their looks, and even more anticipation for the movie. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” will be released on November 11th, 2022.
Related Articles: Black Panther Meets BLK & Bold, New Wakanda Forever Trailer Sparks Latino Excitement, New Announcements For Marvel Series Iron Heart
