If Marvel decides to expand the world of Wakanda, Lupita Nyong’o knows exactly who should join the “Black Panther” star-studded cast.
“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” debuted in theaters on Nov. 11. The film came four years after the first installment, “Black Panther,” sent Marvel fans into a frenzy in 2018.
In its opening weekend, the sequel earned $330 million globally at the box office; domestically, it did not disappoint, bringing in $180 million. The big stateside opening made it the highest-earning film with a November release; it dethroned “Hunger Games: Catching Fire,” which earned $158 million.
While it is still too early to know if a third installment is in the plans, Nyong’o is certain that Idris Elba would be the perfect addition to the franchise. In an “E!” interview, she revealed the U.K.-bred actor as her choice to join her and castmates Angela Bassett, Letitia Wright and several others.
When asked why Elba is her pick, she said, “Why not? Idris should be in everything.”In 2011, Elba earned his Marvel stripes when he portrayed Heimdall in “Thor.” He reprised the role in the following films: “Thor: The Dark World,” “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” “Avengers: Infinity War,” where he was killed, and then again in “Thor: Ragnarok” and “Thor: Love and Thunder,” where he appeared in post-credit scenes.
“The Harder They Fall” star has been a popular pick among fans to be Daniel Craig’s successor in the James Bond franchise. Despite fans petitioning for Elba to portray the debonair agent, he previously has said that it is simply not in the cards.
“I don’t think that playing Bond will satisfy some of my personal goals,” he said during his appearance on “The Shop.” He continued, “It will definitely satisfy the will of a nation. I’m not going to lie. Every corner of the world I go…they always go, ‘Bond.’ And I feel it is beyond me at this juncture.”
Fellow U.K. actor John Boyega recently spoke about the chances of there being a Black James Bond. The agent has never been portrayed by a Black actor, so the casting decision would come as a surprise if Elba, or other fan-favorite actor Regé-Jean Page landed the role.
“Even the mention of a Black Bond to me is like, ‘Oh, OK.’ I’m just here like, ‘OK, I don’t necessarily believe that, but if that’s what they’re doing, then OK,’ ” said Boyega. He added, “That’s very surprising to me, but as an actor you just kind of stay out of that conversation. If it’s for you, then maybe then. But if it’s not, then you enjoy it in a movie theater like everybody else.”
