Winston Duke’s turn as M’Baku is just one of many things that makes Black Panther great. He’s powerful, intimidating, and also kind of funny, all of which comes together in a single scene that we now know was improvised.
Winston Duke improvised one of his character’s best moments in Black Panther. Photo: Disney
The improvised scene is the one where Ramonda leads T’Challa’s allies to M’Baku and the Jabari tribe, hat in hand, to ask for his help after Killmonger takes over. Things are already going poorly, but then Everett Ross opens his mouth, which makes things even worse.
Commentary by co-writer and director Ryan Coogler, along with his production designer Hannah Beachler, on the film’s upcoming home release reveals that M’Baku shutting down Ross with barking was improvised by Winston Duke on the set.
But more than that, Coogler talks about how the moment balances so many things. M’Baku’s views on what it means to be powerful. His thoughts on outsiders in Wakanda. And then, what Coogler says Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige considers the most honourable thing a character has ever done in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: When M’Baku doesn’t take the power of the Black Panther. So much going on in such a short amount of time – which is why this movie is so great.
But wait, there’s more! Here are also some super cool concept images of M’Baku’s throne room.
The commentary will be available when Black Panther comes to digital download May 16 and then Blu-ray May 30. For more information on the release, click here.