Angela Bassett says Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is ‘gonna top’ the first film

Angela Bassett says that Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is going to outdo its predecessor.

Bassett, 63, appearing on Monday’s edition of Ellen, said that everyone involved with the highly-anticipated sequel to the 2018 blockbuster aimed to keep standards high in memory of Black Panther’s late leading man Chadwick Boseman.

‘It’s gonna be amazing – it’s gonna top one – can I say that?’ said Bassett, who portrays the role of the Queen Mother of Wakanda, Ramonda, in the film series.

The Oscar-nominated actress credited the film’s writer-director Ryan Coogler as ‘the perfect leader.’

Bassett had kind words about Boseman, who died in August 28, 2020 following a battle with colon cancer.

‘He was such an example, such a leader, an amazing talent – we all know that,’ Bassett said. ‘Big heart, great intellect, and we just hope to raise his standard.’

Bassett joked she could not reveal ‘one single thing’ about the forthcoming motion picture.

Bassett portrays the role of the Queen Mother of Wakanda, Ramonda, in the film series 

Bassett credited the film’s writer-director Ryan Coogler as ‘the perfect leader’

The Oscar-nominated actress beamed as she made her entrance onto the stage 

The initial motion picture, which arrived in theaters in February of 2018, was a massive hit earning $1.3 billion in box office revenues worldwide, according to Box Office Mojo. The sequel is due in theaters November 11.

In the appearance, Bassett, who portrayed Tina Turner in the 1993 film What’s Love Got to Do with It, was asked about her involvement in the 2021 documentary Tina, based on the musical legend.

‘If you think you know the movie, it just enhances it all the more, it gives you even more of her life story,’ she said of the HBO Max documentary.

Bassett said that Turner was ‘magnificent’ to her while she worked on What’s Love Got to Do with It.

In the appearance, Bassett, who portrayed Tina Turner in the 1993 film What’s Love Got to Do with It, said that Turner was ‘magnificent’ to her during filming 

Bassett said she hasn’t kept up much with Turner in recent times, as ‘she lives so so so far away’ (in Switzerland), but that ‘she’s in [her] heart, thoughts and prayers, always’

‘The last day … she came to the set, she did my hair, my makeup … she came up through a time and a generation where you did your own thing – you didn’t have a glam squad – you did it all,’ Bassett said. ‘And then went on stage in heels – stilettos – and killed. She was wonderful.’

Bassett said she hasn’t kept up much with Turner in recent times, as ‘she lives so so so far away’ (in Switzerland), but that ‘she’s in [her] heart, thoughts and prayers, always.’

She said that Turner was ‘finally’ inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame last year ‘on her own,’ as Turner was previously inducted in 1991 with late ex-husband Ike Turner.

Bassett noted that Turner was ‘one of three women’ inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, along with Carole King and Stevie Nicks.