Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took 4 months to shoot the epic showdown between Okoye and Attuma.
Action pieces are a centerpiece of Marvel movies. They’re huge spectacles that involve whole teams of people from conception to the final product. While the fight may only be two people on screen, there are stunt teams, choreographers, and camera operators, just to begin to name a few. It is Hollywood magic in one of its highest forms. Aside from the many team members who remain unseen, the time and work that goes into it far exceed the minutes audiences experience on screen. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever took four months to shoot the epic showdown being teased in the trailers that feature the greatest warrior from Wakanda and Tlālōcān.
Danai Gurira and Alex Livinalli Share Their Thoughts on Their Epic Showdown.
There’s a short glimpse of the encounter in the teaser trailer, and can be found among the many other videos about the film. No fight sequence is without its troubles, but when you have the greatest warrior from each nation going at it, it’s going to be next level. During the press conference, Danai Gurira and Alex Linvalli share their thoughts on the experience that lasted several months.
I think it was the longest scene we shot for the movie. It took like 4 months. We trained for months. Me and Danai were just in and out, rehearsing, rehearsing, and rehearsing. It was a beautiful moment, seeing the progress from the start to seeing our dance come together. And not only that, just getting to know her as a person. It helped create a bond when we shot the fight scene. I’m just very grateful that it was with her.
Alex Livinalli, Attuma in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
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Even with her extensive experience performing stunts, this scene was a whole new beast to tackle for Danai Gurira.
It was a bigger ask. I was trying to understand why. It was a lot of work. Thank God it was Alex. He’s a big guy! But he’s so nice! I know he’s not going to really hurt me. But it was a lot of work. The beauty of it is you’re seeing how we had to find the psychology in it and we’re working together. There’s a lot of storytelling and story that has to be told.
And I’m one of those people from day one that’s like, ‘I gotta show them my fight. So I gotta learn it now.’ And Ryan’s gotta approve it. So I’m like, ‘Look at it!’ And it’s this whole ‘Come on guys!’ And watching him [Coogler] work with the astounding fight team, and the way they came up with it, really is watching a craft in a whole other way. Then I’m like, ‘So wait, I gotta do that?’ Then it’s that process.
That was months of work, but the wonderful thing is working with Alex and the others. It was an amazing collaborative process. There were some little issues going on some times. My shoulder was like, ‘Whatchu doin to me, man?! What are you trying to do here?’ Thank god for astounding PT [Physical Therapists]. I give my love and thanks to the women of Neurosports. I love you ladies!
Alex: I second that!
It was a very intricate process and I’m just thankful for the team we had.
Danai Gurira, Okoye in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
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Despite taking four months, both Gurira and Livinalli seemed to have enjoyed their experience. They got to work with great teams of people and each other and push themselves to new heights. While still a ways away from the review embargo, let’s just say this incredible encounter, and all the effort of those involved definitely contributes to the warm reception many of us have for the film.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever releases globally exclusively in theaters on November 11, 2022. Tickets are on sale now.
ABOUT BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
Release Date: November 11, 2022
Director: Ryan Coogler
Story Writer: Ryan Coogler
Screenplay: Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert Cole
Producers: Kevin Feige, Nate Moore
Costume Design: Ruth Carter
Cast: Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Danai Gurira, Florence Kasumba, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Tenoch Huerta, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli
Overview:
Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba), fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
Are you excited to watch Okoye and Attuma duke it out? Do you already have tickets to Black Panther: Wakanda Forever? Who do you think wins? Let us know what you think and share your theories with us on Twitter!
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