Oscar-winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter talks going from Wakanda to Zamunda in 'Coming 2 America'
Ruth E. Carter won an Oscar for Best Costume Design for 2018's Black Panther and now her regal work is shining again in Coming 2 America.
And while the fictional countries Wakanda and Zamunda may share similar DNA in terms of their African origins, Carter told Yahoo Entertainment she approached the new Eddie Murphy film differently.
"Getting Zamunda was like, 'Oh, I can get relax now' ... and bring a little comedy into it," Carter said. She pointed to Princess Meeka's (KiKi Layne) larger-than-life costuming, saying, "some of Meeka's crowns are like a Mack truck."
Watch more of Ruth E. Carter's interview in the video above.
Video Transcript
[MUSIC PLAYING]
- But the throne must pass to a male heir. Akeem, it appears you have a son.
KEVIN POLOWY: The original "Coming to America" is, is one of the all time greatest comedies ever made in my humble opinion, and I know a lot of people would agree. What did it mean in general for you to come on to such hallowed cinematic ground for the sequel?
RUTH E CARTER: I don't know. I felt like I wasn't qualified. I felt like--
KEVIN POLOWY: I don't know about that.
RUTH E CARTER: I don't know! No, it was intimidating. It was such a beloved film. It was like why? Why do a sequel? That one's funny. People still watch it. And, but, I was also honored that I would be asked to, by Craig and by Eddie Murphy, to come on and dress "Coming to America."
They enjoyed my work in "Black Panther," we worked together on "Dolemite is My Name," and so we were already a troupe, you know? And there is some safety in that, that you know you can have conversations about the aesthetics with your director, and everything is seamless. So with that confidence, I went into it, you know, head on, looking at the first film and honoring some of the iconic images, bringing them into the second film, and also creating a new story that's for a new generation.
KEVIN POLOWY: Did this opportunity come after you won the Oscar? Because that feels like a great like, I'm going to Disney World moment. Like, I'm going to Zamunda!
RUTH E CARTER: (LAUGHING) It was. I mean on Wakanda, I kept saying to people who would come in to background or my costumers that were just, is this, is this going to be like "Coming to America," and I'm like, no! This is Wakanda! It's totally different. So, then getting Zamunda was like, oh, I can relax now. This is Zamunda. And bring a little comedy into it. I mean, some of Meeka's crowns are like a Mack truck, you know. And then, you know, being able to dress the iconic characters as the men in the barbershop and, and Randy Watson, I mean, I just had to pinch myself that I was actually doing it.
So, it was important that we come from a tribal point of view, inspired by tribal customs and techniques. Uh, and Wakanda was a lot more in depth in terms of culture, representation, and, and no appropriation, that it was a different approach, and therefore it has a completely different look.
You know, I actually sought out some of, like, the original pieces. And I found a bank of dresses at a rental house that were original Zamundan dresses, and they're in the ballroom. James Earl Jones wears his original crown that came out of the archives of Paramount. We honor the necklace that Prince Akeem wears when he first gets to America.
KEVIN POLOWY: I know you guys had a "Coming to America" party when you were making "Black Panther." And you designed all the costumes for that, too.
RUTH E CARTER: I did!
KEVIN POLOWY: Did that in some way-- did that in some way sort of lay the groundwork for that--
RUTH E CARTER: It feels like it!
KEVIN POLOWY: Or was that almost like it a dress rehearsal for this?
RUTH E CARTER: Right? I don't know. But they were all running into my office for a costume to wear to Lupita's birthday party, which was themed "Coming to America." And so I did Michael B Jordan, and I did-- I mean, the only person I didn't do was Chadwick, and he did, he did the, the Reverend well on his own.
KEVIN POLOWY: I remember that.
RUTH E CARTER: But, uh, it was fun. We had fun.
KEVIN POLOWY: This is a really important question for you. Have you designed a costume for your Oscar to wear?
RUTH E CARTER: Ooh. No, he's perfectly fine naked. I like him naked.
KEVIN POLOWY: You like him in his birthday suit.
RUTH E CARTER: Yeah. Yeah, yeah, he's all golden, man. Couldn't be better.
