With the trailer and official release date of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever finally announced, Lupita Nyong’o opened up about filming the sequel following the death of lead actor Chadwick Boseman.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress called the experience “therapeutic” despite not having Boseman around. “For us as a cast, having lost our king, Chadwick Boseman, that was a lot to process, and in many ways, we’re still processing it. When you lose someone, I don’t know when you stop missing them. And of course, we felt it so much, making this film without him.”

“It was very therapeutic. It restored a sense of hope for me in making it, and I think we’ve expanded the world of Wakanda in ways that will blow people’s minds — not just Wakanda, but the Black Panther world,” she continued. “It’s gonna blow people’s minds, and I just cannot wait until it’s not a secret anymore.”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever will star Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright, Winston Duke, Tenoch Huerta, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Dominique Thorne, Michaela Coel, Mabel Cadena and Alex Livanalli:

“Marvel Studios’ “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” 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.”

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever premieres November 11.

Losing Chadwick Boseman was a lot for the #BlackPanther team to process, @Lupita_Nyongo says: “When you lose someone, I don’t know when you stop missing them” pic.twitter.com/KsWPuwDOum

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 24, 2022

Photo | Reuters – Danny Moloshok