Letitia Wright Returns to Black Panther 2 Set
Letitia Wright has returned to the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever set five months after the injury that caused her to return to the United Kingdom for physical therapy and recovery, according to The BBC. The British actress, who plays Shuri in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was injured while performing a stunt on set and Marvel Studios was forced to halt production in November 2021.
But after several setbacks, production began again yesterday on January 14, 2022, per BBC. In a conflicting report, The Hollywood Reporter stated that, “Shooting is due to resume in Atlanta next week on the Ryan Coogler-directed picture for what sources say will be about four weeks.”
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Earlier this week, MarvelBlog’s David Mumpower reported on The Black Panther crisis, prophetically describing it as “a bit melodramatic.” Although it was already confirmed that principal photography was going to resume this weekend on Black Panther 2, until yesterday, it was unclear if Wright would be returning to set to play Shuri.
Photo: Marvel Studios
At the time of the accident in August, it was said that the British star only suffered minor injuries. Then, the Marvel bosses later said that she sustained “a critical shoulder fracture and a concussion with severe side effects,” which caused filming to shut down in November.
Wright’s spokesperson told BBC News: “Filming resumed this month as planned and we’re on schedule.”
COVID-19 Production Delays
Production for Black Panther 2 was initially supposed to start last Monday. However, it was delayed when several members of the cast and crew tested positive for COVID-19.
Actress Lupita Nyong’o, who plays Nakia in Black Panther, was among them, according to Variety. The actress tested positive for COVID-19 last week, a diagnosis that forced her to cancel virtual interviews for her new movie The 355.
I too have tested positive for COVID-19. I'm fully vaccinated and taking care in isolation, so I trust I will be well. Please do all you can to keep yourself and others protected from serious illness. #StayMaskedAndVaxxed
— Lupita Nyong'o (@Lupita_Nyongo) January 4, 2022
However, all eyes were on Wright, because she is a British citizen who has expressed anti-vaccine views in the past. As THR explained, “The CDC late last year implemented rules requiring all non-immigrant, non-citizen air travelers to the U.S. to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination status before boarding a plane. While not commenting on her vaccinated status, several sources say those issues have been resolved.”
Wright’s agent also did not comment, only telling THR, “She always intended to return but just needed to wait until she had fully recovered.”
