Not that ‘Avengers: Endgame’ needs publicity– ticket pre-sales were so intense that sales sites crashed, with some now selling for thousands online– but Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige, directors Joe and Anthony Russo, Jon Favreau, who helmed ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Iron Man 2’, and portrays Happy Hogan in various films, and most of the cast of ‘Avengers: Endgame’ assembled for the official press conference, for what looks to easily be the biggest movie event in memory. In an amusing touch, the creators and actors were scattered on stage amid an equal number of empty chairs meant to symbolize the absence of those that were turned to dust at the end of ‘Infinity War’.
While, as expected, nothing significant was revealed about ‘Endgame’– which is probably in keeping with fans’ wishes– each actor was given the spotlight to discuss their character and their place within the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe.
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Danai Gurira is one of the newest additions to the MCU, premiering as General Okoye of the elite Dora Milaje in last year’s ‘Black Panther’, before returning in ‘Infinity War’, in which she shared one of the film’s most memorable fight sequences– teaming up with Black Widow and Scarlet Witch to battle Proxima Midnight. Okoye also holds the distinction of being one of the only major Wakandan characters left alive after Thanos’ snap, as Black Panther disintegrated before her eyes, and it was later revealed that a similar fate befell his sister Shuri.
When asked what she loved about playing Okoye, Gurira cited her “fierceness” and “femininity,” and added:
“What I love about her is she’s very unapologetic. She’s a traditionalist in the sense that she believes in the sovereignty of her nation. I was born here [in the United States,] but I was raised on the continent, and so seeing a country like Wakanda which has had no history of colonization and became so powerful, and seeing that she is the guardian of that nation really resonated with me.”
She also recalled encountering the other ‘Avengers’ actors during ‘Infinity War’s big battle sequence, saying “’Oh, hi.’ That’s the minute you realize you are part of a universe, which is pretty darn awesome.”
Okoye will be back in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ on April 26. A ‘Black Panther’ sequel has been confirmed, but a release date hasn’t been set.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
