It's just less than a month now until Black Panther releases in theaters, and it's fair to say that people are excited. The superhero film is currently tracking for an impressive opening of over $100 million at the box office, and the marketing campaign is now in full swing. T'Challa may be in the spotlight, but the movie is populated with other exciting characters played by a dynamite cast. This includes Lupita Nyong'o Nakia, though her character may rather prefer the shadows. When Black Panther begins, Nakia is keeping Wakanda safe through espionage, according to Nyong'o.
I can say that Nakia, when we meet her, is a War Dog, which means she's one of Wakanda's CIA agents. Her job is to spy around the world and report back to Wakanda to keep Wakanda safe and keep Wakanda informed.
CinemaBlend's own Eric Eisenberg was among a group of journalists who were invited to the Black Panther set in Atlanta, Georgia last year. One of the members of the cast he got to speak with was Lupita Nyong'o, who opened up on where viewers can expect to find her character Nakia when the movie begins. Rather than serve on the Dora Milaje, the elite fighting force that protects the king, Nakia stays out of the limelight as a War Dog of Wakanda. A War Dog is Wakanda's version of a CIA agent, Nyong'o explains. She spies around the world, reporting information back to Wakanda, and keeps tabs on potential threats.
Wakanda, being an isolated nation with the most valuable resource on the planet, needs to be aware of all threats. So Nakia plays an important role in keeping both the country and the Vibranium safe. Her job also has the perk of traveling the globe, which ties into Nakia's spirit. According to Nyong'o, serving as a War Dog checks off a lot of boxes for Nakia.
I think as a War Dog she is in service to her country and to her passion, which is linked to the outside world.
In Black Panther, Nakia and T'Challa have a kind of romantic past, but a relationship is complicated by T'Challa assuming the throne of Wakanda. Wakanda is also a nation filled with rules and tradition, despite its incredible advances in technology. Nakia is not so much into the rules, but she loves her nation and her king, which creates a bit of an internal dilemma. When asked if Nakia's loyalties are more with her nation than her king, Nyong'o said:
Well that's the dilemma isn't it. I think we see in this film Nakia has to figure out what comes first for her.
Black Panther is directed by Ryan Coogler and releases in theaters on February 16, 2018. To learn more about the movie, here's everything we know so far.
