The Walking Dead’s Danai Gurira steals the show in Black Panther
By Sandy C.
In the heart of Wakanda lies its most valuable citizen. A gem who shines brighter than anyone else. We’re of course talking about General Okoye, portrayed by Danai Gurira, Wakanda’s most precious jewel.
I have long been knowing Danai Gurira is amazing. However, while I love her as Michonne on The Walking Dead, I never thought much of Gurira. Michonne is great, she can fight and take on a horde of walkers, but other than fight-mode, she doesn’t really SHOW any emotions. Yes, even when she and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) are being super cute, I just don’t feel it. I didn’t think much of it, assuming that’s just how Gurira is. I was very wrong.
I caught Black Panther at an advanced screening earlier this week so mild spoilers and teasers for the movie may follow…
Gurira is brilliant! The actress plays General Okoye, the most badass fighter in all of Wakanda (according to me). Gurira really brings this character, who is easily my favorite from the movie and in my top 10 MCU characters, to life. Audiences feel her every emotion, whether it’s fear, anger, or the frustration of having to wear a “stupid” wig to blend in.
More from Marvel Movies
- The ladies of Madame Web and their marvelous powers
- The Marvels movie review: Absurdist masterpiece or serious let-down?
- The Marvels closes out 2023 for Marvel as fans await Deadpool’s MCU debut
- The Marvels is likely to stream on Disney+ in early 2024
- The Marvels cast: Which Marvel stars return in the new movie?
Okoye is the general of the guards and T’Challa’s most trusted friend. And from the beginning, it’s easy to see why she’s T’Challa’s fiercest warrior. There’s an action sequence that takes place in the streets of South Korea and it is awesome! I’ll have to watch the movie again, but it’s probably my favorite scene. Okoye leads the fight, waiting for no one, not even Black Panther.
Thanks to The Walking Dead, she’s no stranger to action. The best fight scenes in Black Panther include Okoye. I hate to say it, but the AMC series is holding Gurira back. She needs to unleash her talents, as she does in Black Panther, and move on to bigger, better things. Leaving TWD worked out wonderfully for Michael Rooker (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Jon Bernthal (The Punisher).
Next: Is Lauren Cohan leaving The Walking Dead?
Gurira’s Okoye is spectacular, and I’m so glad we’ll see her again this summer (May 4) in Avengers: Infinity War!
Okoye is my favorite (as if I haven’t made that clear enough already), but Black Panther has other ladies fans will love! Shuri (Letitia Wright), T’Challa’s sister, a genius who creates Black Panther’s suits, weapons, and more. Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) would LOVE to meet her. Not that he’d have much to teach her. In fact, it’s probably the other way around. And there’s also Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), who plays the love interest, but even though she loves T’Challa, her priority are the people, and not only the people of Wakanda.
Black Panther arrives to many theaters tonight, Thursday, February 15, with a wide release tomorrow, Friday, February 16. Don’t miss it!