So I started looking at her.
Her architecture is very voluptuous and very flowing, very organic.
So I thought this would be good.
I was struck by that.
So I took a lot of that in.
And a lot of it does come from Nigeria.
Image via Marvel Studios
So a lot of traveling around.
And I was like, ‘Yeah, it does.’
This is how we create our homes' and finding that inspiration within nature.
Image via Marvel Studios
So a lot of it came from that.
So I’m pretty sure we’re in the middle of nowhere.'
But you find these really great things.
Image via Marvel Studios
And that’s a lot of what we did.
It was important for us to keep that tradition.
Because we wanted to honor and have reverence for the continent.
Image via Marvel Studios
Im very intrigued by the circular design elements.
What does that circular element tell us about Wakanda?
Beachler: Nice eye.
Image via Marvel Studios
Rome did it, they, you knowbut it was all based on these circles.
and its like, calm down, bring it down 1,000.
We dont know what it was.
Image via Marvel Studios
Vibranium is about vibrations and soaking that vibration in.
And that was one of those moments where I was like, Oh my gosh!
So this is kismet!
I dont know whats happening.
So then we starting bringing it in as a design language.
So, bringing that in really was a part of creatingbringing that traditionand creating its own tradition.
Image via Marvel Studios
So you will see that, thank you for noticing.
So much of your work with Ryan has been so grounded and down to Earth.
Beachler: I had to wrap my head around it.
Image via Marvel Studios
I had to wrap my head aroundCreedbecause it was, like, “Boxing, are you kidding?”
You know, so it was that.
And then when this came up, it really wasI had to dive in, both feet first.
I have an 18-year-old son who loves Marvel, so thank God for that.
He really kind of brought me up to speed about a lot of things.
So, it wasyes.
Youre like, Im not sure if thats 10 feet or 50,000 feet.
You just sort of lose this idea of perspective.
And I think the way that I approached that was always bringing in a natural material.
So youll notice in every single set there is mud.
We did a lot of Timbuktu, muds in it.
Sort of what they call scaffolding.
Image via Marvel Studios
Thats how they repair them.
It starts toyou know, instead of an echo you dont get the bounce back anymore.
It becomes soft and it becomes less intimidating and it actually brings the space down.
Image via Marvel Studios
Now, not everybody would agree with that.
Because theyd be like, Why does it have to be so big?
Because, you know, you let me do it and Im going to make it huge.
Image via Marvel Studios
But I think that was one of the ways around keeping the intimacy.
Obviously, you come into a movie like this, Wakanda is completely a blank slate.
But youre also in the 20thmovie in a series of movies.
Image via Marvel Studios
Do you look back at the other films you do for any kind of inspiration?
Or any kind of rules that you’re free to or cant break?
Or do they play no role at all?
Image via Marvel Studios
Beachler: They really didnt play a role.
I think one thing Ryan and I came in wanting to do is break all the rules.
And it oftentimes is hard to do something thats advanced.
Image via Marvel Studios
Not alien, but advanced, cause this is set in 2018.
So, that was a challenge to do that and keep it standing alone.
And he is the richest man ever so he can have whatever he wants.
Image via Marvel Studios
So we did have to be mindful of how were going to make it different.
I have to ask this question because my readers will want to know.
How is your production design work similar on this film to your work on Beyonces “Lemonade”?
Well, it really is.
You know, okay, I will say this because they are two very different things.
And I think thats what we did in “Lemonade.”
Where we were like, Hey.
Were going back to the 1800s.
Can you talk about the one that was hardest to come to?
Which one did you fight the most with to try and find?
Beachler: The Tribal Counsel.
What was hardest about it?
But keep it traditional, but also show this, you know, advanced society while keeping that.
What was the light bulb moment.
Like, what kicked it?
Beachler: The glass floor.
Which is like a really benign, boring thing, like really, thats what got it?
Um, the glass floor?
And hed be like, Yes,' or, No, no, no.
Its not like he says yes to me every single time.
Im curious as to how geography plays a role in your work.
And then theres the famous map and were like, Does it need to be there?
And were like, Maybe he was wrong.
Maybe he didnt really have that right.
Because youre not really supposed to know.
We also needed some water.
And I really wanted to use a piece that was real and so, we did.
And maybe I wont say what.
And well leave it right there.
