Ryan Coogler, director of the hit filmBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever, recently sang the praises of his leading lady,Angela Bassett, at the Sundance Film Festival. Coogler, who received the inaugural Variety Visionary Award at the festival, had nothing but admiration for Bassett’s work ethic and talent. Coogler toldVariety,
“Her work ethic is insane. I came up playing sports, so you notice this working with her; it’s like you have an extra coach on the field. I find on days when she’s working, I can get more done. It’s just the truth.”
Coogler went on to say that her presence on set was so inspiring that it motivated the entire crew to work harder.
“She would do this thing on the first movie where she doesn’t really leave set. She stays crazy close, which is nuts for an actor like her. It sets such an amazing example. Nobody wants to go back to the trailer in between when Angela is sitting right next to the camera.”
Bassett was previously nominated for an Academy Award in 1993 for her portrayal of legendary singer Tina Turner in the biopicWhat’s Love Got to Do With It. She has been honored with several awards and nominations, including Golden Globe and Emmy nominations, and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
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Co-Stars Echo Praises For Wakanda Forever Star Angela Bassett
Ryan Coogler’s sentiments were echoed byMaster of Noneco-star Lena Waithe, who has a close relationship with Bassett and referred to her as a second mother. Both Coogler and Waithe expressed their hope that Bassett would receive the recognition she deserves in the form of an Oscar for her role inBlack Panther: Wakanda Forever. Waithe said,
“It warms my heart even more to see her get the flowers that everybody knows she deserves. Our fingers are all crossed. We’ve been texting, ‘Mama Angela, you gotta get your things! You gotta get your things.’ I hope she gets a golden thing very soon.”
Bassett’s performance in the film has already garnered critical acclaim, with wins at the Golden Globe Awards, the Critics Choice Awards, and nominations at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the BAFTA Film Awards. If she wins the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, she will become the first actor to win an Academy Award for a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Black Panther: Wakanda Foreverwill be streaming on Disney+ on Feb. 1, with the Academy Awards nominations announced on Jan. 24.
