There are actors like Samuel L. Jackson, Tom Hardy, Dwayne Johnson, and Ryan Reynolds who refuse to do their own stunts, and instead let professionals do their work.
While some actors like Jackie Chan, Tom Cruise, and Keanu Reeves take pride in doing the deadliest stunts without giving second thoughts to them. Because, according to them it gives authenticity and visual consistency to the film.
Doesn’t matter what movie they are doing, the stunts always come with a level of risk, where sometimes actors have to risk their lives. But when the lead actor sustains any injury, it may halt the whole production entirely.
While some injuries can be remedied with rest and medical care, some actors have to pay a huge cost. That’s what happened in the case of the Black Panther actress, which ultimately affected the production for a long period of time.
Letitia Wright’s Frightening Accident on the Set of Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
While shooting Black Panther: Wakanda Forever in Boston, the actress who plays Shuri suffered unexpected injuries – a concussion and a shoulder fracture. Initially, no one thought these injuries would impact the Marvel movie’s production.
But, in November 2021, filming of the Black Panther sequel was temporarily stopped to allow Wright time to recover from these lingering health issues.
Marvel Studios executives Kevin Feige, Nate Moore, and Louis D’Esposito sent a note to the cast and crew. In the note, they detailed the need to delay the production. The note read:
“Letitia had a frightening accident on our set during a stunt back in August. It was a reminder of the importance of safety at all times in our work, which we know you understand and are committed to. What we had initially thought were minor injuries turned out to be much more serious.”
Because of that, the production of the Black Panther sequel was stopped temporarily.
Letitia Wright was Important For the Black Panther Sequel
After Chadwick Boseman’s tragic death, Marvel decided not to recast the role of T’Challa in the movie. This decision led to an expanded role for Shuri, who eventually takes on the mantle of the Black Panther herself.
For that role, she received big bucks, too. Though Wright’s exact pay for the first Black Panther isn’t clear, in 2022, Showbiz Galore said she earned $700,000 for Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
With Letitia Wright now the lead in the sequel, the production has to give Wright ample time to heal from her injuries. That’s how the film faced several delays and setbacks and was subject to ever-shifting regulations. Fortunately, Wright recovered, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever finally made it to theaters.
