Lupita Nyong'o's close companion and fellow star in 'Black Panther', Chadwick Boseman, passed away at 43, having fought a private battle against colon cancer. Now, Nyong'o opens her heart about portraying a cancer-stricken woman in 'A Quiet Place: Day One', revealing it as a deeply personal and "therapeutic" journey.
In the Michael Sarnoski-directed film, the Oscar-winning actress embodies Sam, a poet grappling with terminal cancer and an alien invasion that hunts humans based on sound. Nyong'o recently confessed to People magazine that it was "terrifying to traverse that terrain" for a role that sees her character "confronting their mortality, even before the apocalypse unfolds, with life slipping through their fingers."
"It was daunting, both psychologically and emotionally," she added. But this role held a profound personal significance, as her dear friend and co-star in 'Black Panther', Chadwick Boseman, had lost his battle with colon cancer at 43 in August 2020.
"In the aftermath, it actually became quite therapeutic," Nyong'o explained. "I had recently experienced the devastating loss of Chadwick Boseman, which shook me profoundly. I found myself constantly reflecting on it."
"What I realized is that it's vital to be reminded of our mortality, as it compels us to live life with greater intention," the 'Us' actress continued. "When we believe we have an eternity before us, we can easily take people and experiences for granted."
Shortly after Boseman's passing, Nyong'o paid a heartfelt tribute in a lengthy Instagram post, reminiscing, "During our time making 'Black Panther', I was struck by his serene yet powerful presence. He carried no arrogance, yet operated from a higher frequency. He seemed fully present yet somehow aware of the distant future. As a result, I observed that Chadwick never seemed hurried. He commanded his time gracefully...and he dedicated himself wholeheartedly to our work."
The 'Quiet Place' prequel, currently screening in cinemas, also stars Joseph Quinn and is set in New York City during the initial stages of an alien invasion.
