Black Panther Casting

Chadwick Boseman sure looks like a younger John Kani in Black Panther.  That is why the movie won the Best Casting category in my little awards.  Envelope please!

Kani plays King T’Chaka.  Boseman is T’Challa, his son.  What a striking resemblance.  It reminds me of my arrival in New York City some years ago.  I used to stare at African Americans because they looked like a cousin, uncle, neighbour, teacher, friend, doctor or someone on the bus. 

Sure, we learnt about slavery at school, how slave traders stole Africans and how internal wars between chiefs also led to humans being taken to another continent in chains.  But being in America, seeing people who look like your world, in Africa, was painful.

“Death is better than bondage.” That is what one character said in Black Panther.  Was it Erik Killmonger?  I’m not sure but I will double check when I go back.  Yes, again.  The movie is a cinematic buffet.  Don’t talk with your mouth full, as mama would say.

Queen Ramonda's hats look like this drinking pot.

It is called ukhamba.

Photo:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.

We gave the film the Best Casting category for other casting decisions. The little boy who played the young Killmonger, looks like the angry Killmonger (Michael B. Jordan) who has scores to settle with the nation of Wakanda. 

Letitia Wright who plays Shuri looks like Queen Ramonda her mother, played by Angela Bassett, a great interpreter, because we cannot fully describe the wonderful thing she does with characters.

What can I say?  Compliments to the chef.  No, the casting director.

By:  Nonqaba waka Msimang.