The Sunday Mail
Tinashe Kusema
THIS week’s good news is that Zimbabwean star and Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU)’s resident prize-fighter, Danai Gurira, has finally re-joined the land of the living. Please note that this statement is not supposed to be taken literally as she was neither ill nor dying.
However, Gurira’s time as the sword-wielding Michonne on the post-apocalyptic horror television series “The Walking Dead” has come to an end. “The Walking Dead” has a cult following. The series is one of the reasons that led her to the MCU’s doorstep. Yet, I was never a big fan of the series. I only started watching it, like most Zimbabweans I suppose, because Gurira was featuring in it.
It was my hope that Gurira would take a leaf from Alois Moyo and drop a Shona word or phrase, but after eight seasons (years), nothing came my way. But, given that the series is not really my cup of tea, maybe I missed that phrase. Back to her impending departure, Gurira broke the news during “The Walking Dead” panel at the Comi-con International in San Diego.
“I can confirm that this is the last season I will be on this amazing TV show as Michonne. I would just like to say that this has been one of the purest joys of my life to play this role and to be among these people and those who are not here right now and amongst all of you.
“I’m very thankful for the experience I’ve had in ways I can’t state right now. My heart does not leave in any way, shape or form. The TWD family is forever. The connection between us never ends,” she was quoted saying.
While this is not really breaking news, we are now in the home stretch. The series’ 10th season premiered a fortnight ago and word has it that Gurira has already wrapped up her final scenes. But, with Marvel having released its phase four and five movies, and “Black Panther 2” coming out in May 6 2022, the good news is that we might not have to wait long to see our beloved Gurira again.
The latest news coming from the Gurira camp is that the 41-year-old has a couple of projects to keep her busy before “Black Panther 2” begins shooting. Chief among the projects is a collaboration with her “Black Panther” castmate Lupita Nyongo in a straight-series order “Americanah”.
“Americanah” is a Warner Media streaming service production and is based on the best-selling novel by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.
The 10-episode series tells the story of a woman (Nyong’o) born in Nigeria. She leaves for America and her extraordinary experiences with love, heartache, adversity and self-discovery are captured. The project will be the first role for Oscar-winner Nyong’o in an American television series. Nyong’o starred in Jordan Peele’s “Us” earlier this year. She reprises her role as Maz Kanata in “Star Wars Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker”.
Gurira will take up the show-running job for the series as she is expected to be an executive producer. She remains one of the biggest brand ambassadors for Zimbabwe. As such, all her exploits are worth celebrating.
Now, with this look at Gurira’s next big movie, we relaunch this column. I will do my best to binge-watch the last two seasons of “The Walking Dead” and if the stars align, I will give you a write up on that bitter sweet end.
Till next week, keep your eyes on the stars!
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