Many of the films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe have taken place on earth, depicting a variety of real-world locations that audiences can recognize. In the upcoming Black Panther, audiences will be transported to the fictional African nation of Wakanda, a place which star Chadwick Boseman claims is a spiritual and scientific utopia.
Videos by ComicBook.com
“It’s a utopia. It’s not just an African utopia — it’s a utopia,” Boseman revealed to CNET. “It’s a place where spirituality and science do not war with each other.”
Boseman stars in the film as T’Challa, the king of Wakanda, which required him to adopt a more regal dialect. As Wakanda isn’t a real nation, the actor had to create a manner of speaking that reflected that air of regality.
“People think about how race has affected the world. It’s not just in the States. Colonialism is the cousin of slavery,” Boseman detailed. “Colonialism in Africa would have it that, in order to be a ruler, his education comes from Europe. I wanted to be completely sure that we didn’t convey that idea because that would be counter to everything that Wakanda is about.”
Additionally, the actor wanted to ensure the nation’s fictional priorities helped craft that intonation.
“It’s supposed to be the most technologically advanced nation on the planet,” the actor specified. “If it’s supposed to not have been conquered — which means that advancement has happened without colonialism tainting it, poisoning the well of it, without stopping it or disrupting it — then there’s no way he would speak with a European accent. If I did that, I would be conveying a white supremacist idea of what being educated is and what being royal or presidential is.”
As compared to other heroes in the MCU, T’Challa has much more on his plate than just punching any foes that cross his path.
“Because it’s not just about him running around fighting. He’s the ruler of a nation,” Boseman noted. “And if he’s the ruler of a nation, he has to speak to his people. He has to galvanize his people. And there’s no way I could speak to my people, who have never been conquered by Europeans, with a European voice.”
Fans can see Wakanda for themselves when Black Panther hits theaters on February 16, 2018.
[H/T CNET]
