Why Laurence Fishburne Is Betting on Angela Bassett to Win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress
variety.comAngelique Jackson Twenty-nine years ago, Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne were celebrating their Academy Award nominations for portraying Tina Turner and Ike Turner in 1993’s “What’s Love Got to Do With It.” This year, Bassett is nominated for the best supporting actress Oscar for her commanding performance as Queen Ramonda in “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” and her longtime collaborator couldn’t be more thrilled.
Calling in between interviews for “John Wick: Chapter 4,” Fishburne tells Variety, “It’s what’s in my heart that I’d like to talk about more than what’s on my mind.
I’m just really, really happy about all of the accolades that have been coming Angela’s way for this performance.” Fishburne sought out “Wakanda Forever” early in its theatrical run, interested to see what the Marvel sequel had in store. “I was just blown away by a couple of things,” he says, recounting the experience. “First and foremost, this is a movie with five Black women as the leads, which was incredible.
And the way Angela held the space as the queen was beyond impressive. Her leadership in this movie is incredible and her generosity, also, was just so beautiful to see.” When Bassett’s Queen Ramonda lamented over losing her entire family (“Have I not given everything?” she cries.), Fishburne was particularly bowled over: “It’s just heartbreaking and so brilliant.” Coincidentally, it was Bassett’s turn opposite Fishburne in 1991’s “Boyz n the Hood,” that lay the foundation for that memorable monologue.
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