Winston Duke talks about grief. Image Source: NME
Winston Duke talks about grief.
Winston Duke, who plays M'Baku in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Black Panther, recently got candid about his grief while speaking with ET's Rachel Smith. He explains that he is dealing with the loss of a close relative both on and off the set. On the set, it's his co-star Chadwick Boseman, who died in August 2020 after a four-year private battle with colon cancer, and, most recently, his mother who passed away less than three weeks ago.
The actor, when asked about working on Black Panther: Wakanda Forever without Chadwick Boseman, said that it's hard, but he doesn't think that Chadwick Boseman is not with them, adding that his efforts, his work, and his legacy are with them, and they carry him with them in their hearts. On set, Winston said that they never had a number one on the call sheet and added that it started at number two because they saved the space, or number one spot, for Chadwick Boseman the entire time. Winston also revealed that the entire team visited Chadwick Boseman's resting place to pay tribute to a wonderful human being.
Winston explained during an interview with CBS Mornings that it was just their chance to say goodbye to him because everything happened suddenly, and when it happened, no one knew that he was sick. He also said that the movie means so much to every one of them and that it's very heartfelt, adding that they were dealing with the legacy of Chadwick Boseman and the loss of Chadwick and the loss of King T'Challa, so everyone in the movie is dealing with that grief.
Talking further, Winston said that he always says that in death, the struggle is finding ways to hold onto people, and in life, it's how to let go of people, whether they're good for them or not. The actor said that in death, it's how one holds on, and they held onto Chadwick Boseman in their hearts, in their work, and in how they approach life moving forward. Winston mentioned linking superhero stories intimately with the loss and sorrow their major characters commonly interaction, and added that he drew inspiration not only from Chadwick Boseman's death, but also from his mother, who died just days before the sequel's world premiere.
Winston stated that after experiencing a great deal of loss himself—he lost Chadwick and his mother about 20 days ago or so—he realized how inextricably linked the superhero and grief narratives are. Before getting emotional, the 35-year-old actor said that's what tends to make them powerful, believable, and impactful. Who is Spider-Man if Uncle Ben isn't around? Without his parents, who is Batman? "Who is Superman if Krypton is gone?"
The actor added that it's all about loss and the triumph of coming through that. Speaking about his character in the sequel and the rumor that M'Baku could one day take on the title of Black Panther, Duke said it's unlikely, but he'd like to see the character evolve and grow his superpowers. He explained that his character does not pray to Bast, so he is unsure if that is true, but to see him come to his own as a full proponent and practitioner of Hanuman's faith would be incredible. Winston added that seeing M'Baku fully evolved and superpowered would be incredible.
At the premiere of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Marvel Studios Chief Kevin Feige shared that he feels incredibly lucky to have Chadwick in his life for the short period of time that he did adding that more importantly he did it at such a young age, such body of work that it is going to last forever. Kevin also spoke about Ryan Coogler who wore white outfit to honor Chadwick Boseman along with donning a medallion that had Chad's face on it and said that he is one of the best people he has met, one of the best filmmakers.
In the first part, M'Baku challenges T'Challa to fight for control of Wakanda but ends up losing, but later fights alongside King T'Challa against Erick Killmonger, played by Michael B. Jordan, which earns him a place on the Tribal Council.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, one of the year's most awaited films, is set to be released on November 11. According to early reviews, it is one of Marvel's best films yet.
